JBS Foods Australia

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:30): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to addressing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries regarding the Seven Point Pork abattoir.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: It was reported in The Advertiser yesterday that at least 270 workers are set to lose their jobs when JBS Australia ceases operations at the Seven Point Pork abattoir at Port Wakefield. Given that it is our understanding 160 of those workers are local, and given that a portion of employees are farmers relying on off-farm income during severe drought conditions currently facing the state, my question to the Minister for Regional Development and Primary Industries is: what action is the government taking to keep these employees in regional South Australia?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:31): I thank the honourable member for her question. JBS Foods Australia (JBS) is the country's largest meat and food processing company with 73 locations Australia-wide and two in South Australia, including the Seven Point Pork processing facility at Port Wakefield and a sheep processing facility in Bordertown. Seven Point Pork is one of only two export-accredited pork abattoirs in South Australia and one of seven nationally.

According to my advice, following the decision of one of JBS's strategic partners, fewer pigs will be processed at Port Wakefield, making the facility no longer viable in the short term. As a result, JBS will suspend operations at the site from early January next year. Operations will continue until that time as remaining orders are processed. JBS notified workers of this decision on Monday 2 June. Of the 270 employees at the site, approximately 50 per cent are employer-sponsored 482 visa holders and PALM scheme workers. The 46 PALM workers are scheduled to return home in October of this year. JBS will explore business opportunities that may support the recommencement of operations at the facility in the future.

I am further advised that JBS is also committed to working with and providing support to its employees during this period, including exploring opportunities for redeployment across other JBS sites at Bordertown and in Victoria and New South Wales. The South Australian government will work closely with JBS and the Australian government Department of Home Affairs and Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to provide information and advice to enable the company to support its workers as required, including providing support and services to impacted workers. The South Australian government will also seek to assist JBS to identify opportunities that support the Port Wakefield facility to reopen.

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations Transition Support Network is an on-the-ground network that supports retrenched workers and people at risk of job loss to access local services, explore new opportunities, build their skills and capabilities, and transition to new employment. The network facilitates access to training, employment services, financial information and wellbeing support tailored to workers' needs.

Workers facing retrenchment and their partners have immediate access to Workforce Australia provider services under the Early Access initiative, regardless of their eligibility for income support payments. If they have a legal right to work in Australia, they can register with a provider. Impacted workers and their partners can contact the local job coordinator, Lisa Brock, if they need assistance.