Drought Assistance

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

The Hon. I.K. Hunter interjecting:

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: I know. I feel the same way, Ian.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: The government's failure to act and provide timely support to hay charities has resulted in desperately needed hay ending up in Queensland and New South Wales, rather than on the properties of our hardworking and, frankly, quite fed up farmers.

The opposition are now hearing from farmers on the ground, from areas right across the state, that future feed supply is becoming an issue. Had the government taken up the opposition's suggestion to introduce a water for fodder program for River Murray irrigated areas, we could be seeing fodder grown here in South Australia to support South Australian farmers.

Given that the Premier announced the bulk of the government's drought-support package at the start of April in Peterborough, my questions to the minister are:

1. Why are charities only now, at the end of April, being briefed on how to access the new hay run funding announced by the Premier at the so-called 'Pete party'?

2. Why are farmers getting text messages from Aussie Hay Runners, a charity who have in the past delivered thousands of bales of hay to South Australian farmers, saying that they won't be coming back to South Australia at this stage?

3. When can these charities expect to receive the much-needed funding—actually receive the funding—for freight so that donated hay deliveries can continue?

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. Under the extension to the drought-support package announced last month—the extended $73 million—the Donated Fodder Transport Drought Assistance Scheme was extended from the existing $2 million, which had not been fully expended at that time, to a $6 million package.

The Hon. N.J. Centofanti: But there is none left in there.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: There is money left in there. I would have thought that's what 'not fully expended' means.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! This isn't a conversation. The minister will give her answer.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: The scheme provides transport subsidies to assist charitable organisations with the cost of transporting donated hay to producers in need. Hay runs were already, of course, being conducted by charities across the state prior to the government support. The purpose of the scheme is to make it easier for the charities to continue the fantastic work that they were already doing.

Earlier this week, PIRSA met with five participating charities where the charity has agreed to amendments to the guidelines to ensure that the runs are more targeted, that fodder delivered is of good quality and there is an agreed reimbursement rate per kilometre. Those charities have received their varied contracts and they will be imminently providing PIRSA with their proposals in respect of future hay runs.

In the meantime, hay runs have been continuing with the previous funding tranche, with Farmers Relief Agency and Rural Aid conducting smaller targeted hay runs over the last few months. The Rapid Relief Team also has a large hay run already scheduled for early June. There are five well-resourced skilled charities participating in the scheme that will be working with government to ensure that hay is getting to farmers, particularly those most in need.

I think the honourable member referred to Aussie Hay Runners. They received $800,000 in the initial round of funding in the scheme and we are very much appreciative of the work that they have done. They, like several other charities, of course, are based interstate and they have also heeded the call to assist flood-affected farmers in New South Wales and in Queensland. I would certainly hope that those opposite are not begrudging flood-affected farmers, albeit in other parts of the country, from having assistance as well.

In March, there was some misinformation claiming that hay was blocked at the border of South Australia by the government. On 19 March, Aussie Hay Runners sent out a media release to clarify what they referred to as, quote:

…recent misquoted statements regarding our operations and the support we provide to primary producers in South Australia.

They continued:

Contrary to some reports, Aussie Hay Runners do not have trucks loaded and held at the border.

They went on to say that they have advocated for additional transportation subsidy to be shared among all charity hay runners. They also said:

Furthermore, we acknowledge and appreciate the many other charities and organisations working tirelessly in this space supporting South Australian primary producers. Collaboration, not division, is key to ensuring the best outcomes for our rural communities.

We are very pleased that we had a meeting of charities with PIRSA earlier in the week where they were very keen to collaborate and to cooperate. It is important that, obviously, when we are using taxpayer funds, we get the best outcomes not only for those taxpayer funds but also and very importantly for our farmers here in South Australia.

The revised guidelines mean that there will be more coordination. We won't have runs going necessarily to the same areas and missing out other areas. We will also have a roughly agreed amount for the cost of subsidy for those hay runs.

The Hon. H.M. Girolamo: When? It's taking forever.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: We have calls from the opposition saying 'When?' Well, they are already in place; the guidelines have been finalised. They set out how much it will be: $4.50 per loaded kilometre for a single trailer, $7.50 per loaded kilometre for a B-double, and $9 for a road train per kilometre.

There has been some, perhaps, perception that the amount that's being subsidised is merely the cost of the fuel. That is not the case. Obviously, diesel, I think is, I am not sure, roughly around about $1.90 a litre at the moment. The subsidy covers the cost of fuel, a contribution towards fair wear and tear, and also covers the commercial rates of drivers.

We are very pleased that so many charities are keen to be involved, that they were keen also to address some of the feedback that we had from farmers and from the various organisations themselves about how the guidelines could be improved. Those guidelines are now in place and I look forward to South Australian farmers continuing to receive assistance through donated hay runs.