Victorian farmers rally against 'depsperation' of government's all renewables approach and wild $12k fines
Proposed laws will allow the Allan government access to transmission workers onto private land in order, with those who resist facing fines of more than $12,000 fines for refusing.
The Victorian government's plan will see 240 km of new transmission lines rolled out in western Victoria, slicing through 250 farms and private properties to connect new solar and wind farms to the grid.
Many farmers say the project, which has been touted as being essential for energy reliability and affordability, is a direct threat to their livelihoods.
Hundreds of farmers from 24 regional groups are expected at Victoria's Parliament House in Melbourne on Wedneday to rally against the state government plans.
Nationals leader David Littleproud has blasted what he described as the 'human toll' of the all-renewables energy approach, and claimed there was no other country with the industrial scale the size of Australia's that was going down a similar path.
'Our farmers are the human toll of the reckless race of an all-renewables approach' Mr Littleproud told Sky News' First Edition on Wednesday.
'When people in the North Head of Sydney railed against six wind turbines, that was OK and it got taken away.
"But when our farmers rail against big energy companies, multi-nationals from overseas coming in and taking over, they get slapped with $12,000 fines because of the desperation of Anthony Albanese and Chris Bowen in trying to finish off this madness of an all-renewables approach.
'You're seeing it not just play out in a human toll for our famers, but you're seeing that every quarter when you get your energy bill.'
The protest was also hijacked by pro-Palestine demonstrations, protesting the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
One farmer was seen being confronted by a woman wearing a Keffiyeh on the steps of Parliament.
Under Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan's plan, transmission project workers would be allowed access to private land without consent, with farmers facing fines of more than $12,210 if they refuse.
The state government says it will benefit rural communities, but farmers argue they're losing rights to their own property.
It comes as analysis Rystad Energy has revealed construction had not started on any new wind farm projects throughout the country in the first half of the 2025 calendar year.
Labor government adviser Ross Garnaut has also ruled that the Albanese government's target of reaching 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030 was unachievable, The Australian has reported.
'Australia is currently on a trajectory to miss its renewable targets because of low investment and output in grid-scale solar and wind – not by a little, but by a big margin,' Mr Garnaut said.
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Israel's campaign began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, reportedly killing 1200 people and taking 250 hostages.
