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West Australian
2 days ago
- Climate
- West Australian
Drought and taxes pile on mental pressure for farmers
Brad Marson is surrounded by none of the lush greenness he's used to. Instead, he is confronted daily by dirt and dust as he endures the worst drought since rainfall records began in 1880. The parched landscape stretches beyond the horizon and spares no farm. It also takes a heavy toll on the mental health of everyone it captures. "It's the driest thing in history for us," Mr Marson explains from his ravaged property deep in Victoria's western district. He and those like him have had a tough 18 months. Yet if grappling with the impossible challenges of extreme weather weren't enough, their plight has been made worse with the introduction of a controversial emergency services tax. The impost, which from Sunday replaces Victoria's cheaper fire services levy, is designed to raise additional revenue for the State Emergency Service, Triple Zero and State Control Centre. While mental health struggles for Australians on the land are not new, they appear to be becoming more widespread, according to the 2023 National Farmer Wellbeing Report. The landmark research found 30 per cent of farmers felt their mental health had declined in recent years, while almost half admitted to thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Nearly nine in 10 landholders also reported that their farming operations had been negatively impacted by weather events over the previous five years. "It gets you down," Mr Marson says bluntly. Victoria is in the midst of a historic drought, with the Bureau of Meteorology declaring parts of the state along with South Australia experiencing their driest spell in decades. Some areas last month experienced their lowest rainfall totals since 1900, making it Victoria's seventh-driest May on record. "It's just dirt," Mr Marson says. "The reason why you farm here is because of the reliability of it. The last two years have been something completely out of the hat. It's not normal. "It's just been a very long time since we've had a (drought) here." Mr Marson and wife Fiona operate her family's property, Grassdale Estate Angus, southwest of Hamilton. Adapting to ongoing drought has meant the forced sale of stock, he says. "Our plan moving forward is simply to try and maintain the survivability of the business." While the couple had anticipated 2025 would be tough for them personally, Mr Marson says the hardship is being felt across the community. One option they're considering is sending cattle up to Queensland. "I think we will get through this but we're very lucky in our position. We don't have as much debt as a lot of people are carrying right now," he reasons. "A lot of neighbours, producers and clients are in a worse spot; they can't afford to feed animals. They're sending them into the yards to be slaughtered because they just cannot feed them." The night before speaking with AAP, Mr Marson attended a small local get-together. He says the gathering of farmers was not only important for checking in on one another but also strangely comforting. "You feel a little better that everyone's in the same boat," he says. "It's not that you're doing a bad job. We're all together, we're not alone." They've leaned on the same sense of solidarity over the emergency services levy. When it was proposed last month, state-wide protests erupted as thousands of farmers including Mr Marson descended upon Melbourne calling for the government to reconsider. Their belief is that the tax unfairly targets communities that are already under siege. "Considering that firefighting volunteers are primarily farmers and country people, it's without a shadow of a doubt a direct attack on the Country Fire Authority as well as every other Victorian." In response to the backlash, Premier Jacinta Allan has since announced a 12-month reprieve. But the damage has already been done, Mr Marson says. "This ... levy, with the drought combined, it's definitely not helping." In addition to the pause, the government has pledged $38 million in extra drought relief, which means infrastructure grants increase to $10,000 in 11 council areas and parts of West Wimmera. Meanwhile, regional charity Rural Aid is offering free, confidential on-the-ground support to farmers and their families. Chief executive John Warlters calculates there has been a 20 per cent increase in people accessing the service's free counselling support in June, compared to the previous month. "We've definitely seen an increase in the number of farmers wanting to have a conversation with our counsellors off the back of the big disasters in 2025," he says. "The ongoing cost of the drought takes a toll on people, that emotional cost. "Then there is the significant financial burden that comes with feeding livestock." Natural disasters have this year hit farmers hard across Australia, including significant flood events in Queensland and NSW, he says. "We're talking about a group of people who are incredibly resilient, who are up for any challenge that's thrown at them. "But each challenge just erodes their ability to deal with those big moments when they come along." While counselling is important, strength of community in rural Australia can't be understated according to National Centre for Farmer Health director Alison Kennedy. Although farmers generally have good mental wellbeing, she says that status is increasingly threatened. "Community can come together in a really positive way, in a way that sort of supports each other's mental health," Dr Kennedy says. The Marsons and their neighbours are relying on it. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Climate
- Perth Now
Drought and taxes pile on mental pressure for farmers
Brad Marson is surrounded by none of the lush greenness he's used to. Instead, he is confronted daily by dirt and dust as he endures the worst drought since rainfall records began in 1880. The parched landscape stretches beyond the horizon and spares no farm. It also takes a heavy toll on the mental health of everyone it captures. "It's the driest thing in history for us," Mr Marson explains from his ravaged property deep in Victoria's western district. He and those like him have had a tough 18 months. Yet if grappling with the impossible challenges of extreme weather weren't enough, their plight has been made worse with the introduction of a controversial emergency services tax. The impost, which from Sunday replaces Victoria's cheaper fire services levy, is designed to raise additional revenue for the State Emergency Service, Triple Zero and State Control Centre. While mental health struggles for Australians on the land are not new, they appear to be becoming more widespread, according to the 2023 National Farmer Wellbeing Report. The landmark research found 30 per cent of farmers felt their mental health had declined in recent years, while almost half admitted to thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Nearly nine in 10 landholders also reported that their farming operations had been negatively impacted by weather events over the previous five years. "It gets you down," Mr Marson says bluntly. Victoria is in the midst of a historic drought, with the Bureau of Meteorology declaring parts of the state along with South Australia experiencing their driest spell in decades. Some areas last month experienced their lowest rainfall totals since 1900, making it Victoria's seventh-driest May on record. "It's just dirt," Mr Marson says. "The reason why you farm here is because of the reliability of it. The last two years have been something completely out of the hat. It's not normal. "It's just been a very long time since we've had a (drought) here." Mr Marson and wife Fiona operate her family's property, Grassdale Estate Angus, southwest of Hamilton. Adapting to ongoing drought has meant the forced sale of stock, he says. "Our plan moving forward is simply to try and maintain the survivability of the business." While the couple had anticipated 2025 would be tough for them personally, Mr Marson says the hardship is being felt across the community. One option they're considering is sending cattle up to Queensland. "I think we will get through this but we're very lucky in our position. We don't have as much debt as a lot of people are carrying right now," he reasons. "A lot of neighbours, producers and clients are in a worse spot; they can't afford to feed animals. They're sending them into the yards to be slaughtered because they just cannot feed them." The night before speaking with AAP, Mr Marson attended a small local get-together. He says the gathering of farmers was not only important for checking in on one another but also strangely comforting. "You feel a little better that everyone's in the same boat," he says. "It's not that you're doing a bad job. We're all together, we're not alone." They've leaned on the same sense of solidarity over the emergency services levy. When it was proposed last month, state-wide protests erupted as thousands of farmers including Mr Marson descended upon Melbourne calling for the government to reconsider. Their belief is that the tax unfairly targets communities that are already under siege. "Considering that firefighting volunteers are primarily farmers and country people, it's without a shadow of a doubt a direct attack on the Country Fire Authority as well as every other Victorian." In response to the backlash, Premier Jacinta Allan has since announced a 12-month reprieve. But the damage has already been done, Mr Marson says. "This ... levy, with the drought combined, it's definitely not helping." In addition to the pause, the government has pledged $38 million in extra drought relief, which means infrastructure grants increase to $10,000 in 11 council areas and parts of West Wimmera. Meanwhile, regional charity Rural Aid is offering free, confidential on-the-ground support to farmers and their families. Chief executive John Warlters calculates there has been a 20 per cent increase in people accessing the service's free counselling support in June, compared to the previous month. "We've definitely seen an increase in the number of farmers wanting to have a conversation with our counsellors off the back of the big disasters in 2025," he says. "The ongoing cost of the drought takes a toll on people, that emotional cost. "Then there is the significant financial burden that comes with feeding livestock." Natural disasters have this year hit farmers hard across Australia, including significant flood events in Queensland and NSW, he says. "We're talking about a group of people who are incredibly resilient, who are up for any challenge that's thrown at them. "But each challenge just erodes their ability to deal with those big moments when they come along." While counselling is important, strength of community in rural Australia can't be understated according to National Centre for Farmer Health director Alison Kennedy. Although farmers generally have good mental wellbeing, she says that status is increasingly threatened. "Community can come together in a really positive way, in a way that sort of supports each other's mental health," Dr Kennedy says. The Marsons and their neighbours are relying on it. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Sydney Morning Herald
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Sydney Morning Herald
Residents warned of damaging wind as dust storm hits Victoria
Residents of north-west Victoria are dealing with a huge dust storm that began in South Australia, with coastal and central Victoria also being warned to brace for dangerous weather. Photos taken in Mildura depict a wave of orange engulfing the inland city. The weather bureau reported wind gusts of 70km/h in western Victoria on Monday afternoon. The State Control Centre first warned residents of the Mallee to expect dust storms from South Australia about midday. Images of the dust storm blanketing parts of South Australia were posted online on Monday. A video posted from the town of Orroroo by South Australian media personality Andrew 'Cosi' Costello shows a thick orange haze reducing visibility to less than a few hundred metres. 'Bloody hell,' wrote Costello in this video posted to Facebook. In Victoria, the State Emergency Service told residents to close doors and windows and remain indoors when the storm arrived. In South Australia, police warned drivers to exercise extreme caution because the roads were unsafe.
The Age
26-05-2025
- Climate
- The Age
Residents warned of damaging wind as dust storm hits Victoria
Residents of north-west Victoria are dealing with a huge dust storm that began in South Australia, with coastal and central Victoria also being warned to brace for dangerous weather. Photos taken in Mildura depict a wave of orange engulfing the inland city. The weather bureau reported wind gusts of 70km/h in western Victoria on Monday afternoon. The State Control Centre first warned residents of the Mallee to expect dust storms from South Australia about midday. Images of the dust storm blanketing parts of South Australia were posted online on Monday. A video posted from the town of Orroroo by South Australian media personality Andrew 'Cosi' Costello shows a thick orange haze reducing visibility to less than a few hundred metres. 'Bloody hell,' wrote Costello in this video posted to Facebook. In Victoria, the State Emergency Service told residents to close doors and windows and remain indoors when the storm arrived. In South Australia, police warned drivers to exercise extreme caution because the roads were unsafe.
ABC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Who are the winners and losers in Victoria's 2025 state budget?
With a focus on the cost of living, families are among the biggest winners in this year's Victorian budget. The budget has been described as "responsible" by the treasurer, and promises a $600 million surplus for the first time since the pandemic. The government is still grappling with rising debt, and plans to axe thousands of public service jobs. While the list of winners looks long, with the exception of health, many of the investments are expanding on existing programs or are relatively small initiatives. So, who are the winners and losers? Winner: Health This year's budget features an $11.1 billion investment in Victoria's healthcare system. The government says that's "almost a third of this year's expenditure". It includes $634 million for new hospitals across Frankston, Footscray, Craigieburn, Cranbourne and Phillip Island. The roles of pharmacists will also expand in a bid to help Victorians avoid costly GP appointments. They'll be able to treat more conditions and consultations will be free. Winner: Families With a focus on cost of living, families are among the big winners of this year's budget. Families with young children will save around $2,600 per child with free kinder offered for every three and four year old. It's an extension of the already existing Free Kinder program. Winner: Public transport users Victorians under the age of 18 will be offered free public transport anywhere in the state, throughout the entire year. That's expected to save families upwards of $700 per child each year. The government is also expanding its free public transport program for seniors on weekends. Loser: Taxpayers Net debt is forecast to grow to a record $194 billion in three years' time, up from $167.6 billion this year. The government says it's not introducing any new taxes in this latest budget but last week a new emergency services levy passed through parliament which is expected to bring in $600 million. The controversial levy will be charged alongside council rates and will raise funds for fire services, the State Emergency Service, triple-0 and the State Control Centre. Victoria will pay $7.6 billion in interest in 2025-26 which is set to grow to more than $10 billion in three years. Loser: Public servants The government has flagged thousands of public servant jobs will be cut as it looks to save $3.3 billion. The exact number of jobs to go and which ones they will be have not been identified. Instead, the government says it will wait for the Silver review — a report looking into the public service sector which is due to be handed down by the end of next month. No change: Infrastructure Two major projects are expected to be complete this year. Those are the West Gate Tunnel and the Metro Tunnel projects. But infrastructure projects across the board have blown out by $3.3 billion. That includes a previously reported blowout of $827 million for the Metro Tunnel project. According to analysis, 518 budget-funded projects show a 1.9 per cent increase in costs since last year's budget. Winner: Community safety The government says it's focusing on community safety, investing $1.6 billion in crime prevention. Of that, $727 million will go towards implementing the state's bail reform measures, while $176 million will be put aside to expand rehabilitation and support services to reduce reoffending. With pressure mounting on the government to provide more support to Victoria Police, it's investing $92 million in police recruitment. Winner: Home owners The government is committed to building 800,000 new homes by 2034. Last year the government announced a temporary slashing of stamp duty for new apartments, units and townhouses, when they are purchased off-the-plan. That concession will be expanded for an additional year until October 2026. Credits:
