Drought Assistance

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:28): Supplementary: how is the minister determining the need of farmers for specific hay and fodder donations, and will the South Australian government consider the use of a coordinated central database for the need of farmers for the hay and fodder coming into South Australia?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:28): I thank the honourable member for her question. I don't, as minister, determine need. The farmers are able to register their interest directly with the charities that are engaged in the current hay runs. It was certainly discussed as to whether a central database, as has been suggested here by the member opposite, would be beneficial. I will have to check with my department but, from my recollection, charities were not supportive of that, given that primary producers are providing their details direct to that charity, but I do know that there were moves for better coordination.

As I say, in terms of the detail, I am happy to check that with the department, but I think the overall principle needs to be remembered: the government's package is to provide a transport subsidy for donated fodder. There are five charities involved in that and the department is working closely with them to get the best outcomes that are feasible. No-one is suggesting that all farmers' feed needs for their animals would be met through donated fodder—we know that is not the way that it works—but where government is able to provide assistance, in this case for the transport costs, then that is something that we have been very pleased to partner with various charities to enable to occur.