Legislative Council: Thursday, February 09, 2023

Contents

Question Time

Riverland Crops

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:18): I seek leave to provide a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development a question regarding crops in the Riverland.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Irrigators near Napper's Outlet have been advised that salinity levels have risen from 706, up from 293 just three days ago. My question to the minister is:

1. In her role as Minister for Primary Industries, what measures are being put in place to manage the slug of salinity coming from Lake Bonney to prevent crop damage?

2. Will her government compensate for any damage to crops caused by increasing salinity levels?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:19): I thank the honourable member for her question. Of course, we have seen the devastating floods throughout the River Murray adjacent areas, and in many areas the waters are yet to recede. Once they have receded and during this process, particularly the next few weeks, they are being analysed in terms of the damage that has been done, in terms of responses that are needed, and we are working very closely as a government with local communities and with local primary producers in order to support them during this difficult time.