Organiser Andrew Weidemann, a Rupanyup farmer who has led a growing opposition to state and federal government policies in the past year, said Premier Jacinta Allan and Victorian Nationals leader Danny O’Brien were also invited to speak at the conference because people wanted to hear from national and state leaders.
Mr Weidemann is still waiting an answer from both politicians.
“Ultimately there’s a real mood swing in politics, in Australia generally at the moment, but the reality is our group will support those who support the views of the group,” he said.
“We are not necessarily running as a party or anything, we are just looking at how we can have an impact, particularly on the upper house, so where we can actually try and get a bit more of the balance of power towards agriculture than there currently is.”
Mr Weidemann said the alliance was keen for the general public to attend.
“The conference is really about setting the agenda for the Across Victoria Alliance and to reconfirm its stance, and obviously putting information out there,” he said.
Mr Weidemann said it was not ‘just a bash the renewables conference’ and he invited hosts of wind farms to attend to gain information.
Guest speakers, to be confirmed, include independent academics such as Aiden Morrison, the energy research director at The Centre for Independent Studies, Cate Mercer-Grant and Liz McKinnon from 37 Degrees Partnership, strategic communications, advocacy and strategy development specialists, as well as local farmers and advocates such as Wallalloo farmer Ben Duxson.
“Cate and Liz are going to be talking legislation – from a national perspective, but also now a state perspective and how we look at that. So that’s talking about mining access, rights for farming land, and looking at classification of land types in Australia,” he said.
Mr Weidemann said he was expecting about 150 to 200 people at the conference, and it was being hosted in Horsham due to its proximity to key mining, energy and transmission projects.
“It’s a hot spot for mining, transmission and renewables – there’s no question about that – the Mallee electorate is a hot potato at the moment,” he said.
“We look to other electorates where there is similar as well. We may even do some rallies in some of those other electorates in the middle and end of the year to inform people before the state election.
“ Let’s hope the next government that is in Victoria is going to have a totally different view of farming land rights than it currently does today.”
Tickets at early-bird prices can be purchased until tomorrow, with prices to increase after that. People can find more information and book at www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1518881.
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