General News
23 April, 2026
MP slams churning of agriculture portfolio
MEMBER for Lowan Emma Kealy has hit out at the Victorian Government’s ongoing rotation of the agriculture portfolio, saying inconsistency shows a lack of respect for a vital industry.
Premier Jacinta Allan last week named Michaela Settle as the new Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional Development, replacing outgoing Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence following a cabinet reshuffle.
The move has been slammed by Ms Kealy, who is the Shadow Minister for Agriculture, saying Ms Settle would be the fifth Minister for Agriculture in the past six years and the third this term, which she believes shows agriculture is “not a priority for the Allan Labor Government”.
Ms Kealy said the constant churn shows the government had sidelined one of Victoria’s most important industries.
“Five ministers in six years – three in this term of parliament,” she said.
“That’s not leadership, that’s a government that doesn’t rate, respect or care about agriculture.”
Ms Kealy said the Liberals and Nationals valued the portfolio, with only two people holding the position in the past 20 years – former Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh and Ms Kealy, who is the party’s deputy leader.
“The agriculture portfolio is one of the most important in Victoria,” she said.
“It's not just about the businesses that drive the economy and create local jobs, but our world-leading research and innovation, and ensuring we keep food costs down and our supermarket shelves filled with high quality, healthy produce.
“Farmers are not being listened to by Labor or valued for their work to drive the Victorian economy.
“They’re having their land rights stripped, they’re being hit with higher costs, and slugged by Labor’s massive emergency services tax on their productive land.”
Ms Kealy said ongoing issues impacting the agricultural industry required consistency in government, which she believes the incumbent Labor Government was failing to deliver.
“When it comes to energy infrastructure, farmers are being ignored while their land and livelihoods are put at risk,” she said.
“And through this current fuel and fertiliser crisis, government support has been too slow while costs continue to surge.
“Farmers are fed up with Labor’s merry-go-round of agriculture ministers.
“They’re ready for a fresh start with the Liberals and Nationals team that will always fight for agriculture, and fight for our fair share.”