The Nationals have introduced a landmark private members Bill in the Victorian Parliament to protect the state’s agricultural land from being permanently lost to poorly considered development.
The Bill was introduced into the Legislative Council by The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath after Labor failed to support it in the Legislative Assembly.
The Planning and Environment Amendment (Agricultural Land and Food Security) Bill 2026, created by Shadow Minister for Agriculture Emma Kealy, would ensure agriculture is finally recognised as the strategic asset it is, rather than treated as just another land use in Victoria’s planning system.
Victoria produces around 28 per cent of Australia’s gross value of agricultural production, with a farm gate value of roughly $22 billion a year, generated by more than 21,300 farming businesses.
Speaking in parliament Ms Bath said agriculture’s contribution extends well beyond the farm gate with the sector supporting thousands of jobs across transport and logistics, food processing, manufacturing, agricultural technology, research, science and innovation.
“Agriculture is the economic backbone of regional communities and a driver of investment, employment and prosperity across our state.
“The Labor Government’s track record shows it has repeatedly failed to consider the impact of urban growth, transmission infrastructure, renewables or extractive industries on Victorian agriculture.
“Farming is not an afterthought or disposable industry – it must be recognised as the powerhouse that delivers us food and fibre security.”
It is the latest push from The Nationals to protect farmers, following on from announcements that they will also:
• Scrap the Emergency Services Tax
• Stop VNI West
• Review Victoria’s entire Transmission Plan
• Repeal laws that remove a farmer’s right to say no entry on their land
• Cancel fines issued by VicGrid
• Tackle farm crime
Ms Bath said the Labor Government has consistently failed farmers.
“Eastern Victoria has some of the best agricultural land in Victoria, and it shouldn’t be sacrificed through poor planning decisions by the Labor Government.
“Farmers deserve confidence that the long-term productive capacity of their land will be properly considered before valuable agricultural land is taken out of production.
“Only The Nationals in government will give farmers their Fair Share and put food security and farming communities at the centre of the state’s planning framework.”
Caption: – Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath introduced The Nationals’ landmark private members bill in the Victorian Parliament to protect the state’s agricultural land from being permanently lost to poorly considered development.
