FRUIT FLY ROADBLOCKS

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:29): My grievance is addressed to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, who is responsible for this state's biosecurity. The nightshifts at the Ceduna and Yamba roadblocks, which protect South Australia from many pests and diseases, have received some budget cuts which are going to impact on the state's biosecurity. Through this government's inattention, South Australia's fortunate position of being fruit fly free in the Riverland and phylloxera free throughout the state (those two jewels in our crown) is now in jeopardy.

The fruit fly roadblocks essentially protect the state from the fruit fly being introduced into the state from particularly Western Australia and Queensland. Having a fruit fly free status potentially puts us on top of the fruit fly free list. The phylloxera free status is highly recognised in South Australia. It is very important within the wine industry, the table grape industry, and it is also reflected within the vine improvement committees across South Australia. It is a vital industry because those businesses support and supply material to all of the vineyards across this country.

Also, there are weeds carried into this state on machinery and animals, and they need to be inspected. As to animal pests and diseases, particularly with Western Australia currently in drought, we are seeing WA destocking a lot of their farms and bringing that stock into South Australia, which is fortunate enough to be having a bumper year. The benefits of the roadblocks into South Australia mean that we have access to the lucrative international and domestic markets. We are particularly recognised as having the fruit fly free status with all of these fresh fruit markets right across the world. That is the advantage that South Australia and, more particularly, the Riverland have.

It is also the perception of the markets that the region of the Riverland has fought long and hard for so many years. The government has taken its eye off the ball. Keeping the roadblocks operational 24/7 is imperative, and the government should reverse its decision. The closure of the night shift has been opposed by all of the fruit industry, the vegetable industry, the grain and livestock industry, the Horticulture Plant Health Consultative Committee, and it has now been opposed by all of the agricultural and horticultural communities all around the state.

This decision has been made despite discussions between government and industry to find alternative savings, and it is a very shortsighted decision by this government. It would appear that this government is simply bullying the industries and that has been very disappointing. Through a half-baked consultation process, the decision has been made without closure on the consultation. This closure will affect the industry at the height of the fruit fly free status coming up on 1 January. It is during the holiday season, it is during the height of increased tourism coming into the state, and it is also at the height of the fresh fruit season, so why, I ask the minister?

This government can blow hundreds of thousands of taxpayers' dollars on special envoys and junkets to Italy but cannot find the money to safeguard the state's border protection. Again, this state government must reverse its decision to cut the night shift at Yamba and Ceduna, which would uphold South Australia's impeccable biosecurity record and support the region's agricultural and horticultural sectors.