Farmers have lost faith

By the Editorial Team · Monday, August 31, 2026

A recent Victorian Farmers Federation survey revealed that 90 percent of farmers feel the current Labor government does not understand or address their concerns, with major issues including poor rural infrastructure, high taxes, energy costs, and new regulations. The findings highlight a growing rural-urban divide and increased mental health worries among farmers, signaling urgent challenges ahead as the state approaches elections.

Victorian farmers have expressed overwhelming dissatisfaction with the state government, according to the latest survey by the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF). The annual State of Play survey found that 90 percent of farmers believe the current Labor government, led by Premier Jacinta Allan and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, does not understand or adequately address their concerns.

The survey highlights a deepening sense of disconnect between rural communities and policymakers in Melbourne’s Spring Street. Nearly 77 percent of respondents strongly disagreed with the assertion that the government acknowledges the needs of the farming sector, while only 3.3 percent felt the government truly comprehends their challenges. Additionally, 87 percent of farmers said the government lacks a positive strategy to support agricultural growth, with 67 percent strongly rejecting the notion that there is any clear vision for the industry’s future.

Farmers from different regions voiced their frustrations. One participant from the Wimmera region remarked on a perceived erosion of respect for farming in government policy, describing the situation as “very disappointing.” In South Gippsland, concerns centered around new right-of-entry laws, which some farmers said effectively remove their ability to control who accesses their properties.

Other pressing issues cited by farmers include the impact of high-voltage transmission lines and the increasing threat posed by wild dogs to livestock populations. These concerns come amid broader complaints about infrastructure, taxation, and the transition to renewable energy.

Infrastructure problems topped the list, with 83.2 percent of farmers expressing strong concern about deteriorating rural roads and freight networks—a significant increase of 16.7 percentage points from the previous year. Overall, 97 percent reported some level of concern for these transportation issues.

Financial pressures were also a major theme. Nearly three-quarters of respondents were very concerned about new taxes and regulations (73.6 percent) and the emergency services levy (73.2 percent). Energy-related costs, including those associated with the renewable energy rollout, also ranked highly, with 65.1 percent of farmers very concerned about transmission lines and 63.7 percent worried about the impact of the green energy transition on prime agricultural land. Rising power bills have particularly affected grain growers, and wool and dairy farmers.

Mental health emerged as an increasing area of worry. For the first time, the survey included questions on rural psychological well-being, with 76 percent of farmers indicating concern for their communities’ mental health.

VFF president Ryan Milgate described the results as a “sobering snapshot” of rural life and urged urgent government action. “With under 100 days until we head to the polls, that should set off alarm bells for the government and serve as a stark wake-up call to all sides of politics,” Milgate said. He emphasised that farmers are frustrated with poor road conditions, unfair taxation, threats to farmland, and escalating energy costs, all of which are making farming increasingly difficult in Victoria’s regions.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.