Sheep and Goat Electronic Identification System

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:29): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries about sheep and goat eID.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: The eID is expected to start on 1 January 2025 for producers and on 1 July 2025 for saleyards, but the saleyards in the South-East are calling the rollout nonsensical, with infrastructure inadequate and the financial aid short.

Mount Gambier saleyards, which processes some 150,000 to 200,000 sheep per year, is expected to use four scanners, while Naracoorte, which currently does close to 500,000 through nine drafting races, is expected to do their numbers through only five scanners or only five drafting races. This discrepancy goes to the heart of the many complaints that the opposition is hearing from those on the ground; that is, that again it is nonsensical and inadequate.

There is a real issue that, due to the increased costs and delays expected, producers will take their mobs across the border to Hamilton in Victoria, which has already rolled out its eID infrastructure. My question to the minister is: will the government provide more funding for the saleyards to appropriately build the infrastructure and meet the deadlines so that farmers can farm without any more bureaucratic delays?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:31): I thank the honourable member for her question—noting, however, it is extremely similar to multiple questions that have been asked in this place, which I have answered at length in this place.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: However, if those opposite are not interested in traceability and they don't think it is an important part of supporting our livestock industries—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —not just our livestock industries but more broadly across biosecurity challenges then I guess that is something they will need to speak to their constituencies about.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Back when we first made our first—I am glad the Hon. Ben Hood says that he is talking to his constituency about not supporting traceability, which is what I said.

The Hon. B.R. Hood: We are talking to the councils, Clare.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: About not supporting traceability.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: When I made the announcement several years ago in regard to eID, I announced back then that there would be a 75 per cent subsidy from state government in terms of essential infrastructure. I might note that many of the other jurisdictions have not offered such a significant rebate.

The process for the saleyards was that, based on some national modelling and national work that was being done in terms of eID across the country, there would be guidelines issued—which was done—that would indicate what was expected to be the appropriate essential infrastructure for saleyards, based on the size of the saleyard, their throughput.

What I did build into that was for those saleyards who considered that this was not appropriate for their particular saleyard and their particular circumstances, they could put in a needs analysis request. That has happened for a number of saleyards here in South Australia. Those requests were then looked at by independent assessors, separate to the department of PIRSA. That has occurred.

Some of the saleyards have come back to say that they still don't consider that that is appropriate. I have reiterated that the policy throughout has been that it will be a 75 per cent subsidy of essential infrastructure only. However, I have continued to meet, as has my department, with those who are involved in the rollout, and continue to have discussions.

Very recently both myself and the chief executive of my department met with a number of saleyards. We mapped out some next steps, which include some of those saleyards having a visit arranged by PIRSA to look at some of the saleyards interstate—in Victoria specifically—that have already rolled out eID to see how those saleyards have been structured to make that most efficient and effective while still maintaining and supporting their business. I understand that several have taken up that option, and that will be happening in the near future.

We also facilitated the opportunity for saleyards to speak directly to the assessors to understand better the rationale for the decisions that have been made, but I continue to emphasise that we have ongoing dialogue and, depending on any additional evidence that is provided, if there is anything further to say then I will be able to say that in the near future.