Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:32): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries on the topic of the tomato brown rugose virus.

Leave granted.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Last sitting week, I asked the minister a supplementary question, which she took on notice, in regard to why it took multiple months for the government to appoint an assessor for the process of owner reimbursement costs for SA Tomato Pty Ltd, which has been forced to cease trading due to section 9 quarantine orders. The minister returned an answer yesterday, which stated:

…my department has been taking steps since the early stages of the response to support this business in the assessment of these costs in order to make that process as efficient as possible.

She then spoke about her department engaging and ensuring, but did not talk about concrete action to provide this business with its entitled compensation. My questions to the minister are:

1. What actionable steps has the minister or her department taken to ensure SA Tomato Pty Ltd will receive the full amount payable under the agreed national framework?

2. When will the business actually see the funds owed?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:33): I thank the honourable member for her question. As was mentioned, there was a process which involved obtaining national agreement in terms of the response plan. The response plan includes a number of matters, including cost reimbursement, where that is applicable.

There is a form which can be used to apply for compensation, which has been made available I think on the PIRSA website—although if that's not the situation I am happy to correct the record—and that is the process that needs to begin.

The assessment process is obviously done by an independent assessor and then the process continues. It is important, however, that any person or business applying for such an action is able to quantify what are their losses and provide appropriate evidence. That is all part of the process that must occur before any compensation can be paid, if compensation is payable.