‘A lot of unfamiliar faces’: Theft hitting farmers in rural communities

Key Concepts

• Rural Crime: Increasing theft of vehicles, livestock, tools, and equipment from rural properties in Australia, particularly Victoria.
• Livestock Theft (Cattle Duffing/Rustling): Organized and opportunistic theft of livestock, including methods like using dogs and removing ear tags.
• Emergency Services Volunteer Levy: A proposed levy on farmers and landowners in Victoria to fund bushfire fighting, which faced significant backlash and a temporary pause.
• Farmland Preservation: Concerns about the increasing pressure on Victorian farmland for infrastructure projects (transmission lines, renewable energy, mining).
• Rural Election Issues: Key issues for farming communities in the upcoming November election, including the levy, farmland preservation, and rural services.

Increasing Rural Crime in Victoria & Beyond

The interview highlights a significant increase in theft targeting rural properties across Australia, with a particular focus on Victoria. This spike isn’t limited to traditional targets like tools and vehicles; livestock theft is also on the rise. Brett Hosking, President of the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), attributes this to several factors, including an influx of unfamiliar faces into rural communities due to new infrastructure projects and broader cost of living pressures driving individuals towards criminal activity. He notes a shift from the historically close-knit, trust-based nature of rural communities to one where unfamiliarity breeds opportunity for theft.

The increase in crime mirrors historical patterns – referencing “cattle duffing” in colonial times and “cattle rustling” in the American West – but the methods have evolved. While the image of horse-riding thieves is outdated, the reality involves organized criminals utilizing trained dogs to pen livestock at night, removing ear tags to circumvent traceability, and then selling the stolen animals at sale yards. This practice poses a biosecurity risk, as the loss of traceability hinders disease control efforts. Farmers often don’t immediately notice smaller losses (10-50 animals) due to avoiding unnecessary stress on the livestock during counting.

Emergency Services Levy Controversy & Political Implications

A major point of contention is the Victorian government’s proposed Emergency Services Volunteer Levy. This levy would have charged farmers and landowners to fund bushfire fighting services, sparking a “massive backlash” and a “fierce campaign” led by the VFF. The government has since paused the levy for two years, largely due to this pressure. Hosking argues vehemently against the levy, stating it is “wrong on so many levels” and that emergency services should be funded through consolidated revenue, with contributions from all Victorians. He emphasizes the significant personal and financial sacrifices made by volunteer firefighters, arguing it’s unjust to impose an additional tax on them.

The levy has become a central election issue, with the VFF seeking a firm commitment from both major parties to abolish it entirely. Hosking states that farmers and volunteers will vote for whichever party pledges to remove the levy. The two-year pause strategically positions the issue beyond the immediate election cycle, making the election outcome crucial for its future.

Threats to Victorian Farmland & Economic Contribution

Beyond crime and the levy, the interview addresses concerns about increasing pressure on Victorian farmland. Despite comprising only 2-3% of Australia’s total farmland, Victorian farmers produce a quarter of the nation’s food and fiber. However, the government is increasingly approving infrastructure projects – including transmission lines, solar panels, wind turbines, and critical minerals mines – on valuable agricultural land.

Hosking argues that this trend undervalues farmland, which he describes as a “national treasure.” He highlights the economic contributions of Victorian farmers, including revenue generation, employment, support for rural communities, and advancements in sustainability and emissions reduction. He questions why the government is “punishing” a sector that is performing so well.

VFF Engagement & Future Priorities

The VFF is actively engaging with all political parties, including the Allan government, the opposition led by Jess Wilson, and even minor parties like the Greens and the Animal Justice Party, to convey their concerns and advocate for their priorities. Hosking emphasizes the VFF’s willingness to discuss a broad range of issues affecting rural communities, including access to childcare, school bus services, investment in low-carbon liquid fuel plants, and increased policing to address farm activism and theft.

The VFF seeks a political party that will “stick their neck out” and demonstrate strong support for rural Victoria and its farmers, recognizing the significant opportunities and potential within these communities.

Notable Quote:

“It is wrong on so many levels… to be able to imagine that a government would choose to do this.” – Brett Hosking, regarding the Emergency Services Volunteer Levy.

Technical Terms:

• Consolidated Revenue: The total income received by a government from all sources, used to fund public services.
• Biosecurity: Measures taken to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful organisms and diseases to protect agriculture, the environment, and human health.
• Traceability: The ability to track a product or animal throughout the supply chain, from origin to consumption.
• Ear Tags: Identification tags attached to livestock for tracking and traceability purposes.

Conclusion:

The interview paints a picture of increasing challenges facing Victorian farming communities, ranging from escalating rural crime and a controversial levy to threats to valuable farmland. The VFF is actively advocating for policy changes and seeking a political party that will prioritize the needs of rural Victoria, recognizing the vital economic and social contributions of its farmers. The upcoming election represents a critical opportunity to address these issues and secure a sustainable future for the state’s agricultural sector.