I’ve not been one to buck the system or challenge authority, but during the 1980’s farming was in the doldrums. Expenses were increasing, especially fuel, income decreasing due to low wool prices, as well as sheep and lamb prices, and drought. There was trouble in the meat industry, with unions picketing meat works and causing closures and layoffs of workers. It was a worrying time as two of our children, nearing the end of secondary school, had dreams of going to university and having careers in medicine and allied health. There were a lot of expenses ahead.
The government of the day was talking of introducing capital gains tax and a consumption tax. Interest rates were high, 17% was common. Some farmers were paying up to 25%, so there was discontent with their treatment by the government. Farmers in some other countries were subsidised--we didn’t want that, but we needed a fair go. After, all didn’t the farmers provide the meat, milk, fruit and vegetables for the nation and export, as well as wool, cotton and wheat.
The Victorian Farmers Federation organised a march in Melbourne on June 27th 1985--a march from Flinders Street, up Swanston Street, through the city to the steps of Parliament House. The day arrived. Farmers and their families from all over Victoria converged on Melbourne, some with trucks and tractors, in their farm clothes, and carrying banners, showing their discontent. Some of these banners were very witty and clever, others very angry and rather rude.
We marched off together. There was a feeling of strong solidarity. This raggle-taggle community of farmers were united as they marched up the centre of the road. It was a good feeling. As we held up trams and traffic, perhaps city people would have some idea how dependent they were on farmers! In fact, Melbourne cheered us good naturedly and asked why we were marching. We felt we had made our presence felt.
On July 1, a march was organised for Canberra. This was an angrier crowd. Over 40,000 farmers and their families roared their approval of NFF Pres. Ian McLauchlan’s warning to the government and demands for change in the next budget. Many of them were carrying placards showing their discontent. Again, farmers were working together for their common cause!
The government of the day was talking of introducing capital gains tax and a consumption tax. Interest rates were high, 17% was common. Some farmers were paying up to 25%, so there was discontent with their treatment by the government. Farmers in some other countries were subsidised--we didn’t want that, but we needed a fair go. After, all didn’t the farmers provide the meat, milk, fruit and vegetables for the nation and export, as well as wool, cotton and wheat.
The Victorian Farmers Federation organised a march in Melbourne on June 27th 1985--a march from Flinders Street, up Swanston Street, through the city to the steps of Parliament House. The day arrived. Farmers and their families from all over Victoria converged on Melbourne, some with trucks and tractors, in their farm clothes, and carrying banners, showing their discontent. Some of these banners were very witty and clever, others very angry and rather rude.
We marched off together. There was a feeling of strong solidarity. This raggle-taggle community of farmers were united as they marched up the centre of the road. It was a good feeling. As we held up trams and traffic, perhaps city people would have some idea how dependent they were on farmers! In fact, Melbourne cheered us good naturedly and asked why we were marching. We felt we had made our presence felt.
On July 1, a march was organised for Canberra. This was an angrier crowd. Over 40,000 farmers and their families roared their approval of NFF Pres. Ian McLauchlan’s warning to the government and demands for change in the next budget. Many of them were carrying placards showing their discontent. Again, farmers were working together for their common cause!
Source: The Age, Archives, June 26 1985
What did this achieve? Perhaps a little at the time, but we now have a GST and capital gains tax and probably other taxes in the future to cover the countries’ debt. Do the city people, as they eat their meat and three veg, think of where that food came from, and at what cost? I wonder!
Margaret Nelson
June 2022
Margaret Nelson
June 2022
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