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.