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Full review of farmer hay carting fine sought by MP

Sheep Central July 9, 2025

Condah farmer Graham Thomson with his fine.

A FULL review of the case of the Victorian farmer fined for transporting hay on his tractor forks across a highway to a neighbour’s sheep has been demanded by Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur.

In the Victorian Parliament Ms McArthur demanded urgent attention be given to the case by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne.

Condah farmer Graham Thomson was fined $398 last month by a National Heavy Vehicle Regulator officer. The farmer said he was told he was not allowed to cart anything on a front-end loader on a public road and he was fined for having bales on the front of the tractor “not restrained.”

Mr Thomson has said he will fight the fine and a GoFundMe page launched to help with legal fees, with an excess to be donated to assist farmer mental health, had raised $3060 up to this afternoon.

Western Victorian MP Bev McArthur.

Ms McArthur blasted the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator in parliament for what she said was an “absurd and unjustifiable” fine issued to a farmer trying to help his neighbour during the drought.

Mrs McArthur explained to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety in Parliament that Mr Thomson had used his tractor forks, checked for traffic and posed no safety risk, yet was penalised for not restraining the load.

“This happened during one of Victoria’s worst droughts, on the same day as a farmer mental health day at the local pub.

“The idea every bale must be put on a truck to be transported any distance whatsoever is ridiculous,” she said.

Mrs McArthur said the situation demanded urgent attention and a return to practical decision-making.

“Minister, you oversee the NHVR. Will you lobby your federal counterpart to have this case reviewed and push for more flexible, commonsense enforcement, especially in times of drought, so we can support our farmers rather than punishing them for helping their neighbours?”

“Farmers already face endless red tape,” she said.

“When the drought bites, we should be helping them and not hitting their kindness with fines.”

Mrs McArthur is calling for a full review of the case and for sensible reform to ensure regulations serve communities rather than penalise them unfairly.

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