THERE are more people employed in dairying than in the Victorian automotive industry.

Yet when it comes to industry assistance it seems being unionised pays off, especially if you're a member of the powerful Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union representing automotive workers.

The Australian Labor Party has been quick to respond to the local car industry's woes in the face of the global financial crisis.

Last month Prime Minister Kevin Rudd pledged $6.2 billion to keep afloat what many argue is an inefficient industry owned by foreign companies.

Yet at the same time Mr Rudd seems hell bent on weaning Australian farmers, who run some of the most efficient operations in the world, off direct drought assistance.

It's time Mr Rudd learnt a thing or two about farming and in particular the dairy industry.

Firstly, the dairy industry is in need of help in the face of a three-year drought and a milk price collapse.

As United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president Doug Chant rightly argues, dairying is the state's biggest employer, from the farm to factory, and needs help.

Dairying is also the biggest exporter out of the Port of Melbourne, at a time when we need every cent of export earnings we can pull in.

So how about turning your attention to agriculture Mr Rudd.

And it's not just dairy farmers who need help: grain growers in south-eastern Australia from the Riverina to Rainbow need your assistance to gain the finance they need to plant another crop.

Remember, you've been elected to represent all Australians, not just those who are union members.