THERE is movement at the Baillieu station.
In the past few weeks the Victorian Government has made a series of announcements that change the game on several key agricultural issues.
They have argued for Victorian interests in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and have helped achieve a plan that reaches a balance between the environment and irrigators' interests.
They have also moved to support sheep producers who are irate over a new national ovine Johne's disease plan, despite it being partially drawn up by the producers' own peak councils.
The Government also says it won't enforce the new rules, which could force industry representatives back to the drawing board.
This tells the rural community that Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh is listening to farmers.
Mr Walsh has also backflipped on plans to declare Queensland fruit fly endemic to the state, which could have shut down export markets.
He also moved to ease regulations on livestock grazing on drinking water catchments.
And then there is Treasurer Kim Wells' decision to improve the stamp duty exemption scheme for young farmers.
The message rural people want Baillieu's team to hear, coming into the second half of the Government's term, is don't neglect us now.
The pressure will be on Baillieu to win over voters in marginal seats.
Several seats will be redistributed before the next election, most likely not in the Coalition's favour.
But they should not overlook rural voters patiently waiting for many unfulfilled promises such as bringing natural gas to country towns to be delivered.
The Baillieu Government's country parliamentarians, the crack riders, better ensure they don't run with the fray when the pressure to appease marginal voters heats up.
