Drought Assistance

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (15:00): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Will the minister speak to the chamber about the hay recently received by farmers across the state through the fantastic work of charities, supported by the government's SA donated fodder transport subsidy scheme?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:00): I thank the honourable member for his very important question. Last November, the Premier and I announced the first iteration of our state government drought support package. Part of that package was our donated fodder transport subsidy scheme. We were aware of charities delivering donated hay to farmers in need, and we developed this subsidy scheme guided by input from the charities and farmers to assist them in continuing this important work.

Initially, $2 million was committed to this scheme. It was so successful that in April, when we announced our extended drought support package totalling $73 million worth of measures to assist farmers, we allocated a further $4 million to the donated fodder transport subsidy scheme. We are actively working with Need for Feed, Rural Aid, Rapid Relief Team, Farmers Relief Agency and the South Australian Dairyfarmers' Association.

Over the June long weekend, more than 200 tonnes of donated fodder were delivered to farmers across the state, thanks to the fantastic work, firstly, of Need for Feed and the support of the state government's transport subsidy. Need for Feed partnered with the local Lions clubs in Goolwa, Victor Harbor and Port Elliot to coordinate the delivery of 40 truckloads of hay to 86 primary producers in that weekend.

The charity had trucks from four different states, being Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and South Australia. They collected their trucks of hay in Cobram (Victoria) and Jindera (New South Wales) before gathering in Deniliquin to head off to South Australia together early on Saturday 7 June. The 40 trucks rolled into the Riverland on 7 June and delivered hay to farmers, stopping for lunch at the Berri Lions Club before continuing on their way to the Fleurieu.

The day culminated in a fundraising Drought Breakers Dinner put on by the Lions Club of Goolwa and the Lions Club of Victor Harbor and Port Elliot, also attended by the member for Finniss in the other place and the federal member for Mayo, Rebekha Sharkie MP. I am advised that nearly $60,000 was raised on the evening through the charity auction and raffles and a contribution by the Lions at Yankalilla.

Over the June long weekend, Need for Feed was not the only charitable organisation busily providing free fodder to farmers around our state with state government support. The Rapid Relief Team was also very active, providing much-needed support to 213 farmers in and around Jamestown. With funding support from the state government, the Rapid Relief Team travelled over 1,700 kilometres with 27 trucks loaded with over 1,500 bales of premium-graded cereal hay.

The charity hosted a Farmers Community Connect event in Jamestown, where farmers could pick up their free hay and enjoy a free barbecue lunch and coffee, as well as access to mental health services, the rural financial counselling services and veterinary services. In the very near future, the Rapid Relief Team is coming to the Eyre Peninsula to distribute 130 tonnes of livestock pellets, made possible with funding from the state government for the transport costs as well as very generous donations from the Lions Club network.

This week, Rural Aid is also headed to Kangaroo Island with more than 150 tonnes of donated hay. Kangaroo Island, of course, presents a particular logistical barrier, and my understanding is that this is the first hay run in this drought that has gone to Kangaroo Island. I am very pleased the government was able to partner with Rural Aid to make this delivery possible. It is set to assist 19 farmers on Kangaroo Island, and the delivery will happen over two days, on 18 and 25 June.

I am very proud to support this fantastic initiative. To partner with these charities with government support for the transport is incredibly important. It is having a real impact on farmers and their livestock, and I thank the charities for their very hard work.