PASIN CALLS FOR SA HAY FUEL SUBSIDY

As Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP joins Aussie Hay Runners on their inaugural trip in support of South Australian farmers, he is backing calls for the State Government to assist Aussie Hay Runners and other organisations like it, with fuel costs.

Mr Pasin said organisations such as Aussie Hay Runners delivering feed to livestock in drought impacted regions are donating their time, fodder and heavy vehicles for the task. Assisting to pay for fuel to get much needed fodder into desperately dry regions of the State is a small way in which the State Government could lend a hand.

“Regions of our State are experiencing the driest conditions on record and our livestock producers are struggling as fodder prices soar with quality feed becoming increasingly difficult to find,” Mr Pasin said.

“Getting fodder to where its needed is no small task and the organisers of various hay runs do an amazing job to support livestock producers in times of drought. A helping hand to assist with fuel
costs from our State Government would be a modest but meaningful way of assisting drought stricken South Australian farmers in their hour of need,” Mr Pasin said. Mr Pasin’s is calling for State Government to provide a fuel subsidy similar to that offered by the NSW Government.

“The drought is gripping, failed crops and the lack of feed for livestock is extremely disheartening. Our struggling farmers need to know that their State Government has their back when times get desperate and that’s simply not happening,” Mr Pasin said.

“Labor’s drought plan is woefully inadequate and their silence about what’s playing out across regional South Australia speaks volumes,” Mr Pasin said.

The Premier needs to shift some of his focus from football festivals, car races, golf tournaments and pop concerts to dealing with the realities of the worst drought ever experienced in some parts of rural South Australia.

Mr Pasin will join Aussie Hay Runners on Saturday, 2 November in Tailem Bend before travelling to one of 14 different locations in SA.