Community
12 March, 2025
Dyson makes commitment to dairy farmers
INDEPENDENT candidate for Wannon Alex Dyson has announced his policy for farmers to tackle the rising cost of electricity and fossil fuels, which can significantly impact a farm’s operating expenses.
He said for farmers, energy costs are a substantial part of the budget – whether it’s running irrigation systems or powering farm machinery.
However, by adopting renewable energy sources independently, such as rooftop solar and batteries, farmers can drastically reduce these expenses.
Last week Mr Dyson visited an Elingamite farm to unveil a policy of zero-interest loans which would allow farmers to install solar and batteries at no upfront cost, and then pay the equipment off over time with the money saved.
“By investing in renewable energy systems, farmers not only contribute to reducing the impacts of climate change but also keep more cash in their pockets,” he said.
“We know that climate change is creating new challenges for farmers – erratic weather patterns, droughts and floods can disrupt crops and infrastructure.
“Solar energy paired with battery storage is an incredible combination for farmers looking to gain energy independence while cutting costs.
“By installing renewable energy systems, such as solar panels or battery, farmers can gain more control over their energy sources, enhancing their energy independence.
“In case of power outages or disruptions to the grid, solar and batteries can work together to provide farmers with a continuous power supply.”
Mr Dyson said this independence would help farm operations continue smoothly, without the anxiety of rising fuel costs or supply shortages.
“I believe the case for renewable energy independence for farmers is clear,” he said.
“By adopting solar, battery, or other renewable energy sources, farmers can reduce their energy costs, increase their sustainability, and ensure their long-term financial and operational stability.
“Beyond the economic benefits, renewable energy can help farmers become more resilient to climate change, build a sustainable farming legacy, and contribute positively to the environment.
“As renewable energy technology becomes more accessible and affordable, there’s never been a better time for farmers to embrace energy independence.
“The long-term savings far outweigh the initial investment, making renewable energy a smart and responsible choice for the future of farming.”
At Alysha and Ryan Conlan’s dairy farm in Elingamite, Mr Dyson said farmers have told him in the past energy costs are one of the biggest expenses for them alongside things such as insurance.
“It’s something that, with a bit of help from government, you can start becoming self-sufficient,” he said.
“It could be something that can really be mitigated, and upfront investment means down the track suddenly it helps with costs.
“After hearing this as an independent candidate, then you can advocate for it and put it as one of your priorities, which we’ve done.”
Mr Conlan said investing in renewable energy would definitely help reduce power prices and carbon emissions.
“We’re all for getting renewable energy down the track,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a costly outlay at the moment – it’s a bit out of reach, but government subsidies would help that.
“We’re first generation farmers and we have extremely costly power bills at the moment, so investment in renewable energy would not only help that but would reduce emissions at the same time.”
Mrs Conlan said young farmers in particular face challenges.
“There’s a challenge there with young farmers because everyone knows a young farmer will have higher debt than someone who’s been in the industry for a long period,” she said.
“Any help is greatly appreciated from any avenue.”
Mr Dyson said he was confident as an independent candidate to make these changes.
“We’ve seen over the years different iterations of subsidies for electricity so it’s not new territory,” he said.
“I think targeting regional Australia is a really great benefit – there’s not a single household that isn’t benefitting off farming, which creates jobs, and then also as we see on good seasons the towns around really benefit as well.
“I think it’s a really great example of bottom-up help and leadership for Australia which we haven’t been getting with the major parties.
“There’s a lot of top-down decision making, so I think it would be really wonderful and the fact there’s a high probability of a strong cross bench and a minority government means independents will be able to make sure governments are listening to the things people actually want.”
Mrs Conlan said some of the grants they currently receive feel like a “slap in the face”.
“To do the grant application properly, too, we just had drought assistance for this area, it was only $5000, now I feel like that’s a slap in the face for anyone who’s been affected by the drought because $5000 – that’s not even going to buy a load of grain,” she said.
“The amount of office work that went into actually producing that $5000 is time wasting.
“For something more substantial, we probably wouldn’t mind it.
“We’re running professional businesses.
“We’re turning over huge amounts of income and expenses as well at the same time – we need to be taken seriously in parliament.”
Mr Dyson said he would continue being a “cheerleader” for dairy farmers in south west Victoria if elected.
“It’s something I’ve heard from multiple people now – farmers want the appreciation for the work they’re doing and the hard work they’re putting in,” he said.
“There’s a bit of a disconnect currently between people heading to the supermarket, and they don’t know the story of where their food comes from.
“Being a cheerleader for dairy farmers in south west Victoria is something I think we need to be pushing more and showing what these incredible business owners and humans do out here to make sure our country has food security.”
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