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Loddon HERALD Vol 5 No 37, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 ISSN 2653-1550
Farmers chant loud SCRAP THE TAX
PREMIER IN GUN
HUNDREDS of Victorian farmers and volunteer firefighters have Premier Jacinta Allan in their sights for an election ding-dong in 2026. Prostesters against her government’s controversial emergency services tax on Sunday vowed to take their fight up to the member for Bendigo East at the election. Farmers are bracing for massive hikes in their rate bills next July. Three generations of the Punton family from Woodstock West were among the protest rally crowd on Sunday. Belinda Punton said rates on the land farmed by three generations of the family would jump at least $50,000. “How do we pay that? We’re already working seven days a week ... we’ll just have to some
Ken Collins and Miki Wilson ... Loddon voices at the rally
how work harder. This new tax is unfair.” The Puntons were in a group of Loddon farmers who had their tractors in the protest convoy that later weaved its way into the centre of Bendigo.
Bianca and Brett Collins of Bridgewater North brought in six tractors. More than 100 fire trucks ringed Weerona Oval. CFA units from Pyramid Hill, Dingee, Powlett, Bridgewater, Rheola and Woodstock West among them.
Loddon Shire Mayor Dan Straub was among the crowd addressed by Marong captain and rally organiser Michael Shay who earlier this year initiated an emergency services appreciation round at Loddon Valley and North Central league matches. Inglewood Ward councillor Miki Wilson and husband Ken Collins were part of the tractor contingent, their farm workhorse with the sign “Jacinta = Judas”. The Government gave farmers a 12-month reprieve from the tax as part of drought assistance measures. Premier Allan has said the new levy will apply to them from next year with Loddon Shire modelling showing farmers faced a 25 per increased on the total rates bill. The Goernment has mandated councils collect the tax
PHOTOS - PAGE 8
PREMIERSHIP POSTER
THAT’S A RECORD - 5000 AT GRAND FINALS WEDDERBURN’S Donaldson Park is in the history books the crowd at Saturday’s North Central grand finals paid a record gate of $45,866. More than 5000 people cheered on football, netball and hockey combatants. Wedderburn went through the A and B Grade netball seasons undefeated to be crowned premiers and champions. Boort won the C Reserve and Under14A netball flags. And in its first year, Calder United formed from Wycheproof Narraport and Nulliwil won the senior football cup. Premiership posters, stories and photos in your Loddon Herald Sport this week.
PREMIERSHIP POSTER
Ian, John, Jack, Belinda and Tony Punton ready to join the convoy of fire trucks and tractors in latest call to “scrap the tax”. LH PHOTO
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