Primary Industries Sector

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (15:35): I cannot recall a time when so many primary industries were facing such diverse challenges. These are not just the usual hurdles faced by those who work on the land; it is the continuous assault on farms and farming practices by the woke elite activists who are so far removed from the reality on the ground, and it is also the added burden of soaring input costs and excessive regulation coupled with poor government decision-making that is bringing farming communities to their knees.

There is currently a troubling trend where special interest groups are having more influence over policy than scientific evidence. I support everyone's right to a civic voice, but when animal liberation groups have more influence than the livestock industry's scientific evidence, resulting in the live sheep export trade being shut down, there are serious concerns. The live sheep industry has made substantial progress in animal welfare, and this outcome sets a worrying precedent where emotion can override logic and evidence.

We have also seen a crisis with this current Labor government's handling of the tomato brown rugose fruit virus. It is clear that we as a state were caught with our pants down and ill-prepared when it came to this virus, and we should not have been. The virus is endemic in so many countries around the globe, yet we were caught napping and had no local testing capacity. Despite a promise made by the Labor government of a 10-day testing turnaround time, I have had tomato growers calling my office who have been waiting three weeks or more without answers.

It is my view that part of the role of government should be to continuously review invasive species and diseases around the globe, review the science and review government and industry's preparedness and response to potential outbreaks and incursions. That, clearly, is lacking, and we now have growers who are looking to pull out entire crops that cannot go to a market because of the Labor government's lack of urgency on this issue.

Farmers need confidence that they will not be burdened by escalating red and green tape. Recently I have spoken out about the need to exempt farmers from onerous carbon reporting requirements. Many farmers have been balancing their carbon footprints through various practices for decades. Adding more reporting requirements only creates additional burdens and threatens their ability to produce food and fibre, which is critical for this state. While some farmers may choose to report emissions for market access or product premiums, mandating reporting that goes beyond what is required in other countries creates an uneven playing field for our producers.

It is also clear that many people in this state do not fully appreciate the scale of the current drought and what is at stake. In certain regions farmers are struggling to feed their stock, with many already destocking. This is not just about the current season; it is about the long-term impact. All of this comes at a time when the cost of doing business is exceptionally high. Energy, compliance, labour, fuel and input costs are all rising. These challenges could be alleviated through changes in policy, perhaps reducing red tape or lowering input costs. I note the government's announcement yesterday of their drought package, which we welcome but stress that more must be forthcoming given the exceptional circumstances our farming communities are facing.

But this is not just a farming issue; it affects whole communities. Local businesses, from grocers to mechanics, are feeling the impact. When less money circulates in small towns everyone feels it. If food and grain production decline, prices will rise, which will be felt at suburban shopping checkouts, especially in the current cost-of-living crisis.

Despite these challenges, though, there are inspiring stories of support within farming communities: farmers helping each other and communities supporting farmers right across the nation. Last week, the Rapid Relief Team delivered over 180 farmers one-tonne bulker bags of livestock pellets at Mannum. Just last month, Aussie Hay Runners and Need for Feed also provided multiple hay drops here in South Australia. These donations show the incredible spirit of collaboration and of generosity. There are also stories of innovation, collaboration and success, and it is these stories that we must acknowledge, we must appreciate and we must celebrate.

South Australian producers are some of the cleverest, most inventive, dedicated people I know, who just get the job done. So I say to them: celebrate your hard work, and celebrate the fact that you provide the rest of us and the world with world-class food and fibre, which you should be tremendously proud of. We the opposition celebrate you and all that you do for South Australians and the South Australian economy. From my family to yours, I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year. I look forward to continuing with you all in the year ahead.