Drought

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:24): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries on the topic of drought. Minister, given the severe drought conditions currently affecting farmers in South Australia, does your government believe that farmers should be expected to solely rely on preparedness plans, considering the lack of emergency assistance provided by your government to date and, if so, how does the Malinauskas government justify this approach in light of the current challenges farmers are facing?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:25): I would certainly like to pay tribute to the farming community and the vast work they have done in terms of preparedness for drought. It's a constant challenge and it's a constant risk. Of course, the provision of the $18 million drought support package back last November was developed in consultation with industry through the various consultation fora that we had around the state.

We continue as a government to interact and to listen to our farming communities, to peak bodies and individual farmers, as well as those businesses in regional communities who are also, of course, affected by significant economic downturns as a result of the drought. We are continuing to meet with farmers and farming communities. I mentioned yesterday that the Premier and I are hosting a further round table with farmers this afternoon as we continue to work through what is the most appropriate way to assist further.