South Australia’s Agricultural industry has been hit with yet another blow from the Labor Government as the Minister confirms no government support will flow for frost impacted primary producers.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP said trying to survive as a primary producer in the two years of State and Federal Labor has felt like death by a thousand cuts for many farming businesses.

“Time and time again we are seeing decision makers on North Terrace pay little to no regard for our farming families living and working in regional South Australia who need support,” Mr Pasin said.

“The recent frost event resulted in significant losses for many across the Mallee, Riverland, Barossa and Mid-North and for the South Australian Minister for Primary Production to deny support to wine grape growers in particular is simply ludicrous,” Mr Pasin said.

“The Minister knows very well that insurance against frost is not an option for most growers at the best of times, let alone when so many are already selling off assets just to stay afloat,” Mr Pasin said. 

Last week Mr Pasin called for an immediate increase to rural financial counselling resourcing from the State Government while they assessed the extent of the frost damage.

“Minister Scriven’s lack lustre announcement about satellite mapping was nothing more than deflection coming from a government who has refused to support wine grape growers through one of the most significant shifts in market conditions in decades and is now running away from offering much needed assistance for those staring down the barrel of reduced volumes as a result of frost damage,” Mr Pasin said.

Since 2022 Mr Pasin has been advocating for Federal and State Government support to help the inland wine industry adjust to meet new global market trends.

“I’ve been fighting tooth and nail to get Labor to show some compassion for what wine grape growers are going through and provide some tangible support to help keep them in business while the industry transitions.

“Instead, growers have had to contend with Labor’s failed energy policy leading to increased power prices, increased labour costs thanks to Labor’s IR and migration agenda, and then like coping a kick in the guts when you’re down, an almost unprecedented frost event.

“SA Labor is more focused on music concerts and hosting climate change conferences in Adelaide then they are helping those living and working in South Australia’s regions,” Mr Pasin said.

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