THE future of the Hamilton SmartFarm research centre continues to hang in the balance, with ongoing job uncertainty for its staff members after a further 16 positions were allegedly axed, leaving only four staff on site.

A net reduction plan under the 2021-22 Victorian Budget called on all public service departments – including the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) which employs over 3600 people and incorporates Agriculture Victoria (AV) – to implement a range of budget saving measures.