Question Time

Drought Assistance

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:24): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries on the topic of the South Australian Donated Fodder Transport Drought Assistance Scheme.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: The opposition has received advice this morning from a charity engaged in the coordination and distribution of fodder into South Australia, that farmers who have already been assisted by a charity fodder and hay delivery, regardless of the amount of hay or fodder that was received by that farmer, are now technically ineligible for any future hay or fodder deliveries regardless of need.

We have been advised that this is a criteria under the MOU that was signed by charities with the South Australian government, and that charities can be audited on this at any given time. My questions to the minister are:

1. Is she aware of this?

2. Can she confirm that once a farmer has received a charity hay or fodder donation they are unable to receive future donations regardless of need?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:25): I thank the honourable member for her question. I can certainly check the details of what she has put forward in her question, but I do think it's also particularly relevant that, following the first $2 million assisted fodder transport scheme, feedback we had from across the state was taken on board. Some of that feedback was around the fact that some farmers were missing out altogether on donated fodder, whereas others were receiving multiple loads of donated fodder.

I think that is something that most would agree we don't want anyone to be missing out. If people are putting their hands up for donated fodder and the government is able to assist with those transport costs out of the $6 million subsidy for donated fodder, we want that assistance to be spread as far as possible. I can't imagine the Leader of the Opposition in this place is suggesting that one farmer should receive possibly many loads where other farmers who might be in equal need are receiving none.

My understanding is that there were discussions with PIRSA and the charities that are involved in the current subsidy for transport for donated fodder around how it could be better coordinated. Again, what was occurring was that one area might receive a hay run from several charities, whereas another area may not, even though there might also be great need in that area. My understanding was that there was to be better coordination. In terms of the specifics of that query I am happy to take it on notice and bring back a response.