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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-03-07 Daily Xml
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Riverland Wine Grapegrowers

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:25): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development a question about Riverland wine grapegrowers.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: As the minister is well aware, Riverland Wine held a meeting on 21 February with wine growers to assess the urgent need of growers in the region. In attendance was the federal member for Barker, Mr Tony Pasin, who addressed the group, and the member for Chaffey, Tim Whetstone MP, was also in attendance. There were no federal or state government members of parliament in attendance. The Riverland region is Australia's largest producer of wine grapes, responsible for over 30 per cent of Australian grapes, and many growers say they are on the brink of financial collapse. My questions to the minister are:

1. Will the minister consider support to industry to allow growers to diversify and keep land productive?

2. Is the minister aware of the Regional Investment Corporation and, if so, has she discussed widening the eligibility criteria for these loans for wine growers with her federal colleagues?

3. Has the minister contacted Minister Watt, the federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, requesting that he meet with Riverland wine growers?

4. If not, why not, given the very serious financial predicament these growers are in?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:27): I thank the honourable member for her question. First of all, in terms of considering support, we have been undertaking work for more than 18 months and providing that kind of support to the Riverland. I have outlined on multiple occasions some of the support that has been provided and, of course, those discussions are continuing.

In terms of loans, there is, I understand, according to my advice, the opportunity for low-interest loans through I think the Farm Household Allowance scheme, or it may be an alternative federal scheme, but I am aware that there are low-interest loans available. I would very much encourage growers to reach out to Rural Business Support in terms of being able to be provided with information about the types of support that are available.

In addition to that, there was a support guide released, and that is on the PIRSA website. That was developed in conjunction with the wine industry and it sets out the various sorts of assistance that are available. That can be accessed by wine grapegrowers.

My understanding from Minister Watt's office is that he has offered a meeting, or certainly agreed to have a meeting in Canberra, following a request from the federal member. As I was last advised, the federal member hadn't taken up that option, despite initially asking for that question. I do acknowledge that Tony Pasin did turn up to the meeting. Of course, we were here in parliament, being a state parliamentary sitting day, and were therefore unable to attend. I know that Tony Pasin has written I think one letter, or it might be two—

The PRESIDENT: The member for Barker.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Sorry, the member for Barker. I think he wrote a letter and 14 months later wrote another letter, so I guess that is something. I also would mention that the issue, as we have mentioned before, is a large issue for the Riverland, for South Australia and for Australia. It is a global oversupply, which is impacting the growers here in South Australia. It is also the damage to the trade relationship with China under the former Coalition government, which resulted in the imposition of tariffs, which has been incredibly difficult, and there are a number of other factors.

Members may recall that I mentioned and indicated that I am going with a delegation to China next week, which hopefully will have some good outcomes as part of the broader campaign to try to re-establish and strengthen those relationships with China. There are many aspects to addressing this issue. Some of them are in the purview of the federal government, some in the state government and some in the industry.

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