Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking announces shock exit
VFF president Brett Hosking is stepping down from the role. (ABC News)
In short:
The president of the Victorian Farmers Federation, Brett Hosking, is stepping down from the job in June.
The Quambatook farmer has been in the role since December 2024.
What's next?
Mr Hosking has been approached by the Victorian Nationals to seek pre-selection ahead of the state election.
President of the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Brett Hosking will step down in June, fuelling rumours of a possible tilt at state politics.
In a shock notice to VFF members on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Hosking said he would not stand for re-election at the lobby group's annual conference in Ballarat.
"I feel like the ambition when I became president wasn't to stay there forever," he told the Victorian Country Hour.
Mr Hosking was elected to the role in December 2024, after a period of instability and infighting at the VFF.
Mr Hosking is now tipped to succeed outgoing Nationals MP and former Nationals leader Peter Walsh when he retires from the seat of Murray Plains at this year's state election.
Brett Hosking has been in leadership roles with the VFF for more than 10 years. (Supplied: GrainGrowers)
Ready for 'next generation'
A farmer at Quambatook, south of Swan Hill, Mr Hosking has been in leadership roles with the VFF for more than a decade.
While he acknowledged it was rare for a VFF president to move on so quickly, he feels it's the right time.
"[I've helped] redirect the VFF back to being focused on members, back to being in a profitable position, back to being ready to be the voice of Victorian agriculture.
"Whilst that job's not completely complete, it is in a good position to be handed on to the next generation of leaders," he said.
VFF grains group president, Ryan Milgate (left) and Brett Hosking (right) at the VFF grain conference in Yarrawonga in Feburary. (ABC Rural: Warwick Long)
From farm lobbyist to state politics?
Mr Hosking has had a busy 15 months in the top job.
He has been a spokesperson for farmers as they endured crippling drought conditions, representing them on the Victorian government's drought taskforce.
Then the devastating fires came early this year, burning through 150,000 hectares of farmland.
Mr Hosking has also been vocal against the Victorian government's emergency services levy and major transmission line plans affecting farmers.
Farmers endured drought then devastating fires in the past 15 months. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)
Mr Hosking was coy when asked about a tilt for Nationals preselection.
"I'm not going to deny it, there has been conversations had for sure."
"Look, the answer isn't yes, but it's not no either,"he said.
Nationals members told the ABC that Mr Hosking was expected to contest for pre-selection against a well-known councillor from the region.
Charlie Thomas says the VFF wants to keep the industry productive, sustainable and globally competitive. (Supplied: VFF)
VFF membership 'growing'
The VFF is now on the hunt for a new president.
"With a state election looming and critical issues on the table, we need leaders who are ready to drive us forward," VFF chief executive Charlie Thomas said.
While member numbers have dipped in previous years, Mr Thomas said they were on the way up again.
"Our membership is growing [and] we're focused on serving members," he said.
Nominations for VFF leadership positions close at the end of March.