Tony Pasin (Barker, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I've spoken on a number of occasions in this place about the dire situation that farmers face across much of South Australia with unprecedented drought, much of which nobody could recall in living memory. I thought I'd give an update. We've been blessed across spring with average to better-than-average rainfall across much of regional South Australia. In fact in parts of my electorate you couldn't imagine a better break. But, unfortunately and cruelly, that hasn't been experienced universally. There is a portion of my electorate that is now entering what could be the second if not the third consecutive year of drought. It's the Mallee in my electorate; the situation is dire. I've got farmers who are telling me they were hanging on for this season and, as every day passed and as every windy event passed, they have succumbed to a situation where they now realise that this drought hasn't left them. The concern for them is that the media and attention have moved on because, as I said earlier, much of South Australia—and indeed across Australia—has experienced really good conditions.

I want to take this opportunity to raise the flag on behalf of that district. The Mallee—the Coorong—in my electorate is still suffering significantly and what they need are some pretty basic supports. First of all they need carry-on finance, low to no-interest loans. We've got an incredibly popular premier in South Australia, but he doesn't do the tough stuff. What he needs to do right now is lean in and support these farmers in drought. We need to expand on-farm infrastructure rebates, we need increased and continued mental health and community supports and we need practical funding for fodder and water transport where required. In terms of the federal government, farm household allowance is a lifeline into these communities right now, as it is for every regional community that goes through circumstances—whether it's price commodity shocks or drought. Quite frankly the net asset test is far, far too low. Unfortunately $5 million as a net asset test excludes people. We need to review the test and deal with it. Quite frankly many of my farmers in drought are disqualified from activating farm household allowance because of it.

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