McCurdy: Labor’s new laws a terrifying attack on farmers’ rights

The Nationals' Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, has sounded the alarm over deeply concerning legislation that would grant government bureaucrats and energy corporations the power to storm onto private farmland, without permission.

Mr McCurdy said the Allan Labor Government’s new VicGrid Stage 2 Reform Bill is nothing short of an assault on property rights, setting a dangerous precedent for how regional communities are treated in Victoria.

“Under this Bill, farmers could wake up to find strangers cutting locks, breaking gates, and marching across their land, all in the name of transmission infrastructure,” Mr McCurdy said.

“This is not just heavy-handed; it’s terrifying. It tears up the trust between government and community and sends a chilling message: your property is no longer your own.”

The Bill passed the Legislative Assembly lastweek, despite enormous backlash from rural Victorians. Mr McCurdy said his office had been overwhelmed by distressed calls from landholders across the region, particularly in areas such as Katamatite, Yarrawonga and Glenrowan where future transmission lines are expected to cut through farmland.

“These families have lived and worked on this land for generations. Now they’re being told they could be fined up to $12,000 just for protecting what’s theirs. That’s disgraceful,” he said.

“The Government hasn’t bothered with proper consultation, and now they’re bullying their way through. It's gut-wrenching and deeply unfair.”

Mr McCurdy also raised serious fears about biosecurity breaches, livestock safety, and the long-term damage to farm operations if fences are cut or gates left open, issues the Bill completely fails to address.

“This isn’t about opposing renewable energy. It’s about protecting the rights of those who feed our state,” he said.

The Nationals' will fiercely oppose this legislation and are committed to repealing these extreme laws.

“Labor has shown its true colours, disregard for regional voices, disregard for private property, and disregard for fairness. We will not stand by and let this happen.”