Drought Assistance

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:23): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries on the topic of drought.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: In a recent article in the Naracoorte's The News it was noted that 'many farmers have dismissed the government's $55 million relief package as woefully inadequate.' It then goes on to state that:

Burdened by the soaring costs of livestock feed, high-interest loans, dwindling hay availability and unpredictable weather conditions, a growing number of farmers are now questioning the sustainability of their future in agriculture.

Michael Schinkel, a Naracoorte local livestock farmer who has been farming for over 50 years, said in the article, 'We don't want handouts. I think we need low-interest loans—it's the only way to go if we are to survive'. My question to the minister is: does she agree with Naracoorte farmer Michael Schinkel, and will she consider providing no and low-interest loans akin to what the Queensland government's Rural and Industry Development Authority provides for its farmers affected by natural disasters, including drought?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:24): I thank the honourable member for her question. In devising and developing the total of $73 million in drought assistant packages, we listened, as I mentioned earlier, to farmers, to peak bodies, to rural groups. One of the things that we have done is have a financial institutions forum back at the end of last year and have considered a broad range of potential assistance measures. Given that there are—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! I am on my feet—enough! I want to hear the answer to the question, and I want to hear it in silence.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Thank you, Mr President. Given that the Leader of the Opposition said she did not want to hear the answer to the question, I was very inclined not to answer, but given, Mr President, that you would like to hear the answer to the question—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —I am of course more than willing to oblige. It is extremely disrespectful to the farmers for those opposite to ask a question and then yell, stamp their feet and bang the table instead of actually listening to the answer.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Here we go! We have the tantrums opposite instead of a calm and constructive opportunity to ask a question that matters to regional South Australia and to listen to the answer.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: The development of the $55 million, in addition to the $18 million announced back in November last year, was devised to look at where there are gaps where other assistance is not available. The federal government has a subsidised loan program and that remains in place and farmers can seek to access it.

In terms of our assistance, we have looked at the various levels of need in all sorts of areas. We had very positive feedback from the on-farm drought infrastructure rebate. Some of the feedback was that it could be further improved by increasing the maximum amount, which has now been increased to $20,000, and that was being particularly helpful in areas that needed to put more infrastructure in place but the $5,000 didn't necessarily meet all of those needs.

We have the Connecting Communities events, $500,000, and that is where groups can apply for up to $5,000 to host community events that support wellbeing. There has been an additional investment for the donated fodder transport scheme, bringing that to a total of $6 million. There are the rural support grants that I mentioned earlier in this question time. There is $2 million for the Active Club Program, because making sure that people have a central place to go, such as a sports club, that they are able to maintain some of their wellbeing through involvement in sports, was recognised as another important part of supporting regional communities.

As we have mentioned, those who are eligible for or are receiving the Farm Household Allowance can get a full ESL rebate as well as a rebate on commercial vehicle registration. We also provided additional funds for rural financial counselling support, as well as emergency bulk water collection points in the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu, and this week have announced:

the opening of the Bundaleer Reservoir bulk water collection point;

an extra $2.5 million for the mental health strategy;

$3.1 million for pest culling and pest management;

$4.5 million towards the next stage of implementation of sheep and farmed goat eID;

a grant fund for upgrading regional water standpipes;

a regional event fund, $400,000;

assistance through the Department for Education for financial support for students in drought-affected areas, for camps and excursions; and

another $17.4 million as a commitment for the Future Drought Fund.

All of this has been developed in close discussion and engagement with farmers, with peak bodies, with regional councils and with other stakeholders in regional areas, and that is why I am sure we have had a lot of very positive feedback.

Of course, drought is continuing. Drought is incredibly stressful and difficult for regional communities and for farmers. One can't help but really wonder—well, I think we are all hoping for rain; I think that is probably a little bit of stating the obvious. Without rain there are so many pressures on our farming communities and on individual farmers, which is why we have put together this $73 million package to help to relieve some of those pressures.