Farmer News
1 April, 2025
Tehan in election mode
WITH an election looming, Member for Wannon Dan Tehan recently spoke of his concerns with regards to the cost of living and of running a business.
“The Albanese Government has been incredibly bad for this country,” he said.
“The cost of doing business in this country has skyrocketed yet there has been nothing done to help with productivity improvement.
“A Coalition government will work on opening and extending our markets. We need to take a step back and make sure our farmers can make a profit and reinvest in their businesses.
“There has been no end to the cost increases (cost hikes and more cost hikes); add into that cost-of-living pressures with escalating interest rates and essential services costs.
“Farmers are facing incredibly dry conditions at the moment. Most are buying in feed and to add cost increases and additional taxes at a time when farming businesses and all businesses are under immense pressure, is ludicrous.”
Mr Tehan believes that when our farming communities are strong, so too are our regional centres.
“We need to make sure that farming businesses can make a profit; we need to reinvest in their businesses because when we do that our whole community benefits,” he said.
“We have seen over 23,000 businesses close as a direct result of interest rates and increasing costs.
“This Labor Government needs to be held account for the state of this nation and the only way to do that is a vote for a Coalition government. Make no mistake. A vote for an orange, or the greens is a vote for the Albanese government. “
Mr Tehan encouraged everyone to ask themselves - is a campaign funded (allegedly) by climate 2000 really independent?
“Inflation has not been dealt with; we have seen the biggest drop in living standards since the second world war. The only way we are going to get interest rates down is by lowering government spending.
“We need a Liberal government who is going to properly prioritise government spending in areas where it’s needed.
“Sadly, I don’t see this Albanese government making any progress with the United States, regarding import tariffs for our agricultural products. With one in four jobs depending on trade in our regions, we need to see a much greater push to stop tariffs being imposed on us.”
Mr Tehan believes a Coalition government will “double down” on making sure there is secure access to overseas markets and that those who have long supported this country are supported.
Celebrating International Women’s Day at Dunkeld Community Centre recently, Mr Tehan spoke of the influence his mother has had on his life.
He spoke of how both his parents were active members of his local community.
“It was always instilled in all of us children the importance of community involvement,” Mr Tehan said.
“My mother was a lawyer and then politician and in many ways was a real trailblazer. She started a law firm in a small country town when there was only one other practice which was run by two males (who tried to hunt her out of town).
“She took great pride in the fact that her law firm became so much bigger than theirs in the finish.”
Mr Tehan’s mother then went into state politics and she had great male support.
“Jeff Kennett was the leader back then and he gave her unwavering support,” he said.
“She became Victoria’s first female Health Minister (driving serious change in that area) and when she left, she had other great male support as she headed up Foster Parent International.
“I learnt a lot from my mum. Our house was a bit different to many, as dad would pack the lunches and tuck us into bed when mum was away working.”