THE offices of Western Region MP, Jaala Pulford, and the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR), confirmed in identical responses on Tuesday that “while several positions (at Hamilton SmartFarm) may be impacted by workforce changes … staff have an option to apply for new roles”.

Ongoing uncertainty had cast a shadow over the future of Hamilton SmartFarm, and job security for employees, with 109 positions already vacated this year at Agriculture Victoria (AV) within the DJPR, under the Early Retirement Scheme.

Both replied with background information and quotes attributed to a Victorian Government spokesperson that stated a presence at Hamilton SmartFarm remains strong and would continue to deliver important work.

The response stated that AV applied a co-investment model through strategic partnerships with industry and agribusiness partners that enabled the co-design, co-investment and co-delivery of research and innovation initiatives and projects. 

It said significant co-investment was received from Dairy Australia, the Gardiner Dairy Foundation, the Grains Research & Development Corporation, AgriFutures Australia, and Barenbrug Australia.

The response said a range of research activities were currently underway and were funded through the DJPR’s dairy and grain programs, as well as a strong suite of work underway to prepare for a range of animal diseases.

It said the department also has well-established emergency response arrangements in place that are regularly reviewed and tested through exercises with industry stakeholders to help prepare for exotic animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease.

“We will always support our farmers and local communities – that’s why we invest to deliver high-quality on-ground services,” the spokesperson said.

“We are investing more money than ever before in rural and regional Victoria – $36 billion since 2015. That’s why the overall value of Victoria’s agriculture production has grown by $5 billion since 2014.”