Looking for fair share

THE United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV), the dairy commodity of the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), is calling for amendments to the Accident Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill to be considered by the Victorian Parliament in the next two weeks.
UDV deputy president Kerry Callow said farmers had lobbied for amendments to the section of the Act which deals with sharefarmers for more than 10 years, specifically in relation to the way remuneration is calculated and the test of who pays for the WorkCover premium.
“Victorian dairy farmers have been calling on the government to consider our concerns in relation to sharefarmers and WorkCover for over 10 years.
“What we are asking for are sensible amendments to the legislation which will even the balance for the farming sector,” Ms Callow said.
“The existing legislation is unfair to farmers because remuneration is taken on the total share farmer’s income and does not take into account expenses paid such as materials, goods and equipment.
“Equally the ‘one third of income derived from the land’ assessment is also in need of change.
“This is an antiquated test and no longer provides an equitable analysis for determining who should be responsible for the payment of compensation.
“As amendments are going through the Legislative Council in the next few weeks the UDV sees this as an important opportunity to put things right.”
“We have written to the minister with responsibility for WorkCover Tim Holding asking for amendments to the Bill, however these have been rejected.
“We are now talking directly to members of the opposition parties, including minority parties, to progress sensible changes to the legislation.
“Now is the time to address these issues in the interest of fairness. Farmers cannot wait another decade before something is done about these inequitable and outdated provisions,” Ms Callow concluded.