Rural Business Support

Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (14:32): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister update the house on how funding for Rural Business Support will assist agricultural and horticultural industries in South Australia?

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE (Chaffey—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (14:32): Yes I can, and I thank the member for Kavel for his very important question. He, like many on this side of the house, understands the importance of Rural Business Support here in South Australia and the great work they are currently doing with the farming sector. The state government has provided an extra $260,000 to Rural Business Support to continue providing important rural financial counselling services to farmers beyond 2020.

By providing the funding in the recent state budget, South Australia's commitment aligns with the federal government's agreement for regional business services. By way of background, Rural Business Support is a not-for-profit organisation providing services to help South Australian and Northern Territory farmers make business decisions. It is headed up by Brett Smith, who is doing an outstanding job, I must say. Brett has assisted me in going out to regional communities and providing essential information that farmers are looking for to get themselves through some of the tough areas in our state.

The government is supporting our farmers during these tough times. As well, the government has recently passed the Farm Debt Mediation Bill, a great initiative that is long overdue for our farming businesses. I have recently announced eight Family and Business Support mentors to complement the RBS. I experienced the FaB Scout program myself during the Millennium Drought, and there is no doubt that the FaB scouts save lives, marriages and farming businesses, and they also keep communities and small regional communities together.

RBS undertakes a number of important initiatives, including the Rural Financial Counselling Service and the Farm Business Strategic Review, covering over 328,000 kilometres to meet with families in the 2017-18 year, which is equivalent to 18 laps of the Earth. I think that's an outstanding achievement.

During the last financial year, the RBS staff visited 148 postcodes, 543 families and provided over 7,500 hours of direct farm support, sitting around the kitchen table, giving those farming businesses the help that they need. RBS welcomes the state budget announcement, coupled with the provision of additional federal government funding. It's also cementing certainty in the Rural Financial Counselling Services with South Australian farmers.

The RBS has increased the team to include 13 full-time equivalent rural financial counsellors and support staff to ensure the ongoing strong demand for services is met and managed well. RBS is also assisting oyster growers after the impact from POMS. I note that this state government has put money into the budget—$1.6 million in fee waivers in the recent state budget.

Mr Hughes interjecting:

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: We put the money in the budget. You talked; we acted. What I would say is that the financial counsellors across the state are assisting farmers with their paperwork, processing applications for the Farm Household Allowance. Again, the RBS is also involved in working with the SA Country Women's Association to help eligible families apply for the assistance held by the Australian Red Cross and the Country Women's Association for all donations. On this side, we care, and hashtag #RegionsMatter.

Mr Hughes: Unless you're in the Flinders Ranges Council area.

The SPEAKER: The member for Giles is called to order.