Farmers pay the price for Labor’s energy push

The Nationals' Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy has slammed the Allan Labor Government after it pushed through legislation allowing energy companies to compulsorily acquire farmland before key environmental and planning assessments are completed.

The Energy and Other Legislation Amendment (Resilience Reforms and Other Matters) Bill 2026 passed the Victorian Parliament after Labor secured the backing of the Greens, the Animal Justice Party and the Legalise Cannabis Party.

Mr McCurdy said the legislation shows a blatant disregard for farmers across the Ovens Valley and regional Victoria.

“Farmers in the Ovens Valley work incredibly hard to produce the food and fibre our state relies on, yet this government continues to treat them as an afterthought,” Mr McCurdy said.

“This legislation allows land to be compulsorily acquired before the independent Environment Effects Statement process is even complete.

“It’s an outrageous overreach and a slap in the face to the farming families who have cared for this land for generations.”

“That is completely backwards and it shows just how little respect this government has for farmers and the communities that rely on this land.”

Mr McCurdy said the Victorian Farmers Federation had also raised serious concerns, warning the late amendment could bypass normal safeguards and potentially expose taxpayers to compensation costs if project routes were later changed.

“Farmers deserve transparency and a proper process before government starts drawing lines through productive farmland,” he said.

“People across the Ovens Valley are rightly frustrated that decisions which affect their land, livelihoods and futures are being pushed through without proper consultation.

“Renewable energy projects should not come at the expense of the very people who feed and clothe our state.”

Mr McCurdy said The Nationals would continue fighting to ensure farmers’ voices are heard and that prime agricultural land and regional communities are properly protected.