Brett Hosking's shock exit from Victorian farm lobby group Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking resigns amid rumours he is seeking political pre-selection.

Brett Hosking's shock exit from Victorian farm lobby group #vff #bretthosking #vffpresident

Farmers fear ‘land-grab’ By DAVID BRAITHWAITE   A LAST-MINUTE government amendment to a bill, which farmers fear could green-light power companies to compulsorily acquire their land for transmission lines before environmental and planning approvals were even finished, has gone through parliament. According to the Victoria Farmers Federation, the amendment to the Energy and Other Legislation Amendment (Resilience Reforms and Other Matters) Bill 2026 created a direct bypass around the state’s environmental protection laws. It allows, the VFF claimed, the government to force through transmission easements while an environment effects statement (EES) is still underway. The state government said the changes would not affect the EES process. VFF president Brett Hosking said the federation was “gutted that parliament has backed laws allowing farmers’ land to be taken for transmission lines before the environmental assessment is even finished”. “This will pour fuel on the anxiety and uncertainty already gripping communities at the heart of the energy transition,” he said. “Families now face the shadow of compulsory acquisition hanging over them while they are still trying to understand what a project means for their homes and livelihoods, as well as provide comprehensive information to the EES process. “It tells us that those in charge don’t genuinely understand the sentiment on the ground. It sends a clear and devastating message to regional Victoria that getting towers in the ground matters more than delivering a robust environmental effects statement and treating people with dignity.” Before it was adopted, Mr Hosking warned the amendment would damage perceptions of the EES process and strengthen the hand of power companies which are already treating communities with contempt. A state government spokesperson told the Express the bill would bring laws around transmission infrastructure in line with major transport projects and other states like New South Wales. The changes do not impact the EES process. Any requirements, conditions or environmental management measures determined through the EES process must be met before major works can begin. “Only Labor will build the energy infrastructure needed to keep the lights on and lower bills,” the spokesperson said. “The faster we can build new transmission lines, the faster we can connect renewable energy to the grid and the cheaper our energy prices will be. “Jess Wilson’s Liberals want to block laws that would help lower power bills for Victorian families – the very laws Nationals MP Emma Kealy called for.” The government spokesperson pointed to comments Ms Kealy, the shadow agriculture minister, made last year in parliament. “I call on Premier Allan: please, if you care about regional people, go out and do compulsory acquisition, as you would for a Melbourne project, and let our people deal with this, because the uncertainty is dividing families,” Ms Kealy said in parliament. Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien said the government was showing contempt for farmers and regional landholders. “They’re not even pretending to care about consultation, process, or a fair go now. The government is just going to try and ride roughshod over people’s lives and farms and force their projects through,” Mr O’Brien said. “We opposed this legislation in the parliament strongly, and we will repeal it if elected to government. “These amendments are a slap in the face to regional people and cannot be tolerated.” Meanwhile, the Liberals and Nationals last month pledged to introduce strict new independent audits and economic impact assessments on new energy developments if they win November’s election. Under a Liberal and Nationals government, independent agricultural and economic impact assessments will become mandatory as part of the approvals process for major renewable energy projects and transmission developments to ensure prime farmland is protected. Mr O’Brien, who is also the state Nationals leader, said protecting Victoria’s food and fibre production must be a priority. “Our farmers are the backbone of our state, and the Liberals and Nationals will stand up to protect the prime agricultural land that underpins our food security and regional economies,” he said. “Victorian families rely on our farmers to put food on their tables and clothes on their backs. We must get the land-use balance right so farmers can continue to do what they do best.” Mr O’Brien said communities had been left frustrated by the government’s failure to properly consult or consider the cumulative impact of large-scale developments across regional Victoria. “Renewable energy projects and transmission lines have highlighted the growing concern that Labor is steamrolling regional communities and putting productive farmland at risk,” he said.

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Farmers must be involved in Treaty process: VFF president By PHILIP HOPKINS   VICTORIA’s farmers must be involved in the process and legislation to create a Victorian Aboriginal Treaty, according to the industry’s peak body. Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking acknowledged the government had reached an in-principle agreement on Australia’s first Treaty. Mr Hosking said the introduction of this legislation was be the first time it had been seen by many stakeholders. “It is critical that such a significant piece of policy and legislation is considered through an open and transparent consultation process as it moves through parliament,” he said. Mr Hosking said farmers and regional communities must form part of this consultation. “We look forward to engaging constructively to achieve the right result,” he said. “The government said themselves that these policies work best when people affected can have their say. This must be the way forward on this process.” Premier Jacinta Allan, introducing the Statewide Treaty Agreement into parliament, said the Treaty made sense because it gave Aboriginal people a say in how their services were run. “It’s that simple. All families are better off when they have responsibility over their lives, their future and the things that affect them. Aboriginal families are no different,” she said. “Our first Treaty sets clear rules to achieve real, practical change over time.It doesn’t take anything away from anyone – it’s about improving people’s lives and the services they use.” Ms Allan said generations of advocacy by First Peoples had led to this important moment. “We recognise it. They have an unbroken relationship with the land where we live. We acknowledge it. They nurtured the oldest living cultures on earth. We’re proud of it,” she said. “I thank the First People’s Assembly of Victoria for the trust they have shown in undertaking this journey with us. I acknowledge the Treaty Authority and its members for their role in ensuring a fair negotiation. “And, I acknowledge the work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission who have faithfully recorded the truth. Finally, I thank the Victorian people for coming with us on this journey, which continues still. The first Treaty in Australia’s history will be in your name, too – and it will benefit us all.” The Victorian Government and First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria reached in-principle agreement on Australia’s first Treaty after a decade of talks. The first negotiated Statewide Treaty Agreement brings together First Peoples, through the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, and the Victorian Government, to build a new relationship based on respect, trust and integrity. It acknowledges he state’s past and aims to allow all Victorians to move forward together. The Statewide Treaty Bill proposes to make the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria permanent and expand its responsibilities to deliver better outcomes for First Peoples in Victoria. Subject to the passage of the bill through parliament, the negotiated Treaty Agreement will be signed by both parties. Ms Allan said policies and programs work best when the people affected by them have a say in how they are delivered. “That’s why this bill proposes to put decision-making power about initiatives and services that impact First Peoples into the hands of the First Peoples’ Assembly,” she said. The bill proposes that the expanded assembly: Be led by democratically elected Members providing representation of First Peoples; Make decisions and rules about specific matters that directly impact First Peoples; Form an independent accountability mechanism as required by the National Agreement to Close the Gap; Be consulted by government departments on laws and policies affecting First Peoples; Lead ongoing truth-telling and healing across Victorian towns and regions, including capturing stories and retaining an archive of this information to support education of the broader public; Make certain statutory appointments for existing designated First Peoples’ seats such as First Peoples appointments to the Heritage Council of Victoria, Lead the Aboriginal Community Infrastructure Fund, the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll and NAIDOC Week, and; Develop a First Peoples’ Institute to enhance leadership capability across the sector. “In Victoria, we have been on a long and steady path to Truth and Treaty for nearly a decade. We have passed legislation twice, developed policies, and made commitments across the government. We have taken the time required to lay strong foundations for Treaty, and this Bill represents a historical milestone in this journey,” Ms Allan said.

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Fury over forced entry proposal By PHILIP HOPKINS   LEGISLATION has passed in State Parliament that threatens farmers with fines if they do not allow access for transmission projects, just as an official report shows those transmission links are blowing out in cost and could feed into higher energy prices. The legislation passed through the House of Assembly on Thursday (July 31) and will now be debated in the Legislative Council. The Nationals reiterated their opposition to the new legislation proposed by the state Labor government, which would allow government officials and transmission companies to enter private farmland without consent and fine landholders who object. The Victorian Farmers Federation has also strongly opposed the legislation. The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill would hand sweeping powers to VicGrid and authorised officers, allowing them to forcibly access private property, cut locks, break gates, and issue penalties for resistance. Under the Bill, landholders who obstruct access to authorised officers could face fines up to $12,210. Refusing to provide identification or proof of ownership may attract penalties over $4000. Interfering with notices of entry could incur fines of more than $1200. Corporations face even higher fines, reaching nearly $49,000. “This is an outrageous overreach from a government that has lost control of its energy rollout, and once again it’s hardworking farmers and regional families who will bear the brunt of these reckless decisions,” the Member for Morwell said. “Under this bill, authorised officers can cut locks, break gates, and force their way onto your property – all in the name of building transmission lines for Labor’s chaotic renewables plan.” Mr Cameron said the government was prioritising energy companies over property rights, biosecurity and liability concerns if something goes wrong, such as livestock escaping or disease spreading. “People are rightly worried about losing farmland, biosecurity risks, disrupted livelihoods, and long-term damage to farming communities,” he said The VFF warned that the state government’s energy transition risks alienating the very communities it needs most. While the VFF supports the shift to renewable energy, VFF President Brett Hosking said the transition was being derailed by poor planning, worrying rhetoric, and alarming legislative proposals including the VicGrid Bill Amendment. “Farmers are not opposed to renewable energy. We know the world is changing and we’re part of that change, but we won’t cop being steamrolled in the process,” he said. “The VicGrid amendments are deeply troubling. Allowing police to enforce access and slapping hard working farmers with fines for simply wanting to protect their land is not how you build trust, it’s indicative of how trust has been lost.” Voice: State Opposition leader, Brad Battin speaking on the steps of Parliament last week. Photograph supplied Mr Hosking said the government’s determination to press ahead with major transmission projects without genuine community consultation including the Western Renewables Link (WRL), VNI West and projects in Gippsland, was undermining both public confidence and the project’s viability. “The WRL and VNI West are both failed projects and they should be scrapped entirely. Both have been mismanaged from the start, and communities have made it clear they won’t accept it being forced through their paddocks,” he said. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) identified rising electricity infrastructure and energy delivery costs in its latest report on the development of the national electricity market between now and 2050. The AEMO report has found transmission costs have risen, particularly for overhead lines, as has the cost of building new essential infrastructure to meet consumer needs and government energy and emissions targets. The report stated “AEMO recognises that increases in costs for electricity transmission network development would impact bills for electricity consumers”. An example of the potential for cost blow-outs is the VNI West project in Victoria’s north-west. The project could cost anywhere between $5.2 and $11.4 billion despite the proponents estimating the cost at $7.6 billion. The upper limit of the AEMO estimate is $10.605 billion. Big new transmission infrastructure is also planned for South Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley to connect electricity from planned offshore wind farms to the energy infrastructure in the Latrobe Valley and from there to parts of Victoria. VicGrid is finalising preferred routes for transmission lines in the renewable energy zones in Gippsland with affected landowners. The shadow energy minister, David Davis said based on the report, “there is no doubt that households and businesses will see significant increases in their energy bills in the months and years ahead”. “Like VNI West, there are other projects showing similar cost trends which must be accounted for as part of the real cost of low emission technology that is underpinned by these massively expensive transmission projects,” he said. “Given the Allan Labor government’s inability to manage projects, it’s obvious Jacinta Allan will fund low emissions technology and the infrastructure that supports it through levies on household and business energy bills. “The Premier and federal Labor must be open and transparent with Victorians about the impact on household budgets and business costs from projects like VNI West.” The Member for Gippsland South and Leader of The Nationals, Danny O’Brien, said the cost blow-outs would add to pressure on a government already seeking to affect Victorian farmers’ property rights to get its failed energy policies back on track. “Labor wants to slap farmers with $12,000 fines for refusing access to their private property and to give itself the power to break locks and smash gates to get access,” he said. “These are not the actions of a government that respects regional Victoria. It is proposing all stick and no carrot and that has naturally angered landholders who feel they are being disrespected. “The Nationals and Liberals oppose this bill and will repeal it if elected (to government) next year.”

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VicGrid draft plan raises questions for farmers By PHILIP HOPKINS   FARMERS in Gippsland face new negotiations with VicGrid and offshore wind developers under the state government’s draft Victorian Transmission Fund, with Victoria’s peak farming body saying there are a lot of unanswered issues. The draft includes a Gippsland offshore wind transmission Stage 2 project, which features a new 500 kV transmission line from the existing transmission network near Driffield to Woodside, and a new 500 kV line from Woodside to Giffard. New terminal stations will be needed at Driffield and Woodside. There is also a proposed Gippsland Shoreline Renewable Energy Zone between the Gippsland coast and South Gippsland Highway, from Seaspray to Reeves Beach, where offshore wind developers will need to locate underground cables that connect to a connection hub near Giffard. This zone is not designed to host onshore wind or solar projects. A Renewable Energy Zone between Morwell and Sale, and a new new 10-kilometre transmission line between Yallourn and Hazelwood are part of the package. The chair and president of the Victorian Farmers Federation, Brett Hosking, told the Express that the new VicGrid draft plan raised a lot of questions. There was still not even an agreement on negotiations for the current Stage 1 project, which involves a connection hub near Giffard and a 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line that will connect the first 2 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy to the grid in the Latrobe Valley. VicGrid has said it will refine the study area to a corridor and then a route for the new transmission. Mr Hosking said under the draft, landholders who were told their land was not suitable had found themselves right in the middle of a new Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). With more negative attitudes than positive towards offshore wind farm projects, it was uncertain how many of these projects would get off the ground. “If that happens, what impact will that have on potentially more onshore wind farms?” he queried. Community engagement had been poor. “I’m not hearing too many positive stories. The proposals are dividing communities and having an impact on health and wellbeing. Proponents do not know how to do the best job,” he said. “VicGrid can put out their plan, but can proponents lift their game?” Mr Hosking said many energy projects in the REZs were a long way from where the energy would be consumed. A community group, Better Transmission Gippsland (BTG), said the state government was heading toward failure in energy by refusing to invest in safe, modern infrastructure to carry power from Gippsland’ s offshore wind farms to the Latrobe Valley. “They’ve released the plan, but they’re still missing the point,” said BTG chair Kirra Bott. “The goal of this transition isn’t just more energy. It’s more secure energy.” Ms Bott said the two new overhead powerlines were the same outdated infrastructure that collapsed near Anakie in 2024, cutting power across the region and costing an estimated $770 million in damage. AusNet’s own data showed these failures are becoming more frequent, now occurring less than six years apart on average. “VicGrid claims undergrounding would cost $3 billion more up front but when spread across all Victorian households over 40 years, that’ s just seven to eight cents more per day per household, or $2.31 a month – a small price for a power supply that won’t collapse under pressure,” she said. “You can’t build the state’s future power supply on towers that keep falling down. The refusal to consider undergrounding isn’t just a technical failure, it’s a political one. “This government says it’s leading the energy transition, but when it matters, it picks the cheapest path and leaves communities, businesses and the grid exposed.” The draft plan aims for 320-240 megawatts (MW) of new onshore wind energy in the Morwell-Sale REZ. The draft Transmission Plan identified the need for new transmission lines in Gippsland to support both the draft proposed Gippsland REZ and about 7000MW of offshore wind by 2040. The location where each transmission line will be built has not yet been identified.

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