Keeping Farmers Farming

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:28): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to addressing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development regarding the security of farming in South Australia.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: The National Farmers' Federation recently launched their campaign entitled Keeping Farmers Farming. At their recent national conference, the National Farmers' Federation Chief Executive, Tony Maher, called on all parliamentarians to stand up against policies which threaten to slash billions from farm production. He said:

Farmers have always put food on the table for Australians and clothes on our back, but decisions are being made in Canberra that will make it harder to do so. They're taking away the water, land and workers needed to grow food. That means fewer farmers doing what they do and when farmers grow less, everyone pays more.

My question to the Minister for Primary Industries is: has she written to or communicated with her federal colleagues, seeking a reversal of policies which are having a significant adverse effect on farmers and producers in South Australian and, if not, why not?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:29): I am frequently in contact with my federal counterpart on matters of interest to South Australia.