LOXTON RESEARCH CENTRE

The Hon. L. STEVENS (Little Para) (14:24): My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. What is the government doing to ensure the continued provision of high quality services to the Riverland agricultural community through the Loxton Research Centre?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development) (14:25): I thank the honourable member for her question and, just as was the case yesterday, I certainly get the feeling that they will not listen to this answer. The Riverland region is valued by the state government as a major contributor to horticulture and viticultural production—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: —providing significant economic benefits to the people of the region and to our state as a whole. The Loxton Research Centre is recognised as a key point for the delivery of services to irrigators and land managers in the Riverland region. I am pleased to reaffirm the point that was made yesterday, which again was not listened to by the opposition; however, I will do it again. I confirm that the Loxton Research Centre will remain a key centre for the delivery of PIRSA programs in the Riverland.

The centre will no longer directly provide commercial soil and plant testing services due to its no longer being financially viable—and we know about the recklessness that was displayed by the deputy leader the other day with respect to finding $2 million out of your back pocket. Ivan might be able to find $2 million out of his back pocket, but not all of us can.

The simple fact is that the service there was no longer financially viable. Arrangements are already being put in place to transfer current clients to alternative providers, of which there are a number who, importantly, can provide an efficient service at a lower price. The service will continue to be available to the farming and irrigation community in the Riverland at a lower cost.

The government, of course, is also concerned to ensure that the four staff affected by this change receive appropriate assistance, and the department is working with employees regarding redeployment and other options. As I mentioned yesterday, we do not sack public servants.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: The good news is that a number of new arrangements are currently being developed to maintain and improve service delivery to the region. Initiatives include the development of a consolidated water resources and irrigated crops program. A team of SARDI, Rural Solutions, SA Water and irrigation experts will provide an essential resource for Riverland growers, irrigators and water managers who are dependent upon the River Murray for the sustainability of their enterprises.

The team will provide a dedicated research development and extension capability focused on assisting clients to better manage their water resources and improve farm productivity and viability of their businesses in a context of climate variability and productivity pressures.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: They are not really interested. You are interested in moving that way; that is what you are interested in. You are not interested in anything else other than moving that way. Other new arrangements foreshadowed for the centre include the strengthening of services provided by Rural Solutions SA, particularly in major programs involving environmental and community services for local government, mining companies, water infrastructure and climate change. There will also be greater use of electronic information delivery and new arrangements to improve leadership and coordination of PIRSA services for this region based at Loxton.

The state government's commitment to the Riverland community is further demonstrated by the ongoing contribution to drought response and the drought support programs being delivered in this important region. I urge the opposition to get behind programs like this and not to get behind programs that are essentially aimed at getting rid of Martin.