Frost Damage

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:28): Does the minister acknowledge that the recent frosts are some of the worst that grapegrowers have seen in living memory, and what new measures will the minister commit to assist the affected wine growing sector in light of this once-in-a-generation frost event?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:29): What I can say is that nearly every region of the state has been affected in some way by the frost events, but the extent and intensity of impacts certainly do vary across different areas and across sectors. Anecdotally, the most significant impacts have been reported in the Barossa Valley, Riverland, Mid North and Eyre Peninsula. The frosts came at a crucial growing period for grapes and grains and, of course, are exacerbating the production losses already being experienced as a result of drought and dry seasonal conditions.

The grains and legumes have been most severely impacted in the Mallee, Upper South-East and Mid North where crops, which were already stressed or were flowering, were affected. The assessment continues.