Rural Business Support

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:28): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries regarding support for farmers.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Rural Business Support is an important financial and business advisory service offered to businesses, farmers and landowners in regional South Australia. It is a non-profit organisation listed with ACNC, and they offer rural and small business financial counselling, landowner and farm business management programs, agricultural support services, and a relief fund. On the ground, they are an incredibly valuable service. My questions to the minister are:

1. Is her government aware of any reductions in staffing or services to Rural Business Support due to the cuts to the Small Business Financial Counselling program?

2. What is her government's commitment to financial counselling to deal with the flood recovery support?

3. What money is PIRSA putting towards the effort to support primary industries and small businesses that are experiencing downturns as a result of challenging environmental and business conditions?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:29): I am not aware of any correspondence or approaches that have come to my office in regard to the matters that the member is referring to.