PASIN CALLS FOR URGENT INCREASE TO RURAL FINANCIAL COUNSELLING - RIVERLAND

Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP is calling on State and Federal Government’s to urgently provide funding to increase the number of rural financial counsellors.

This important call out is made against the background of ongoing significant challenges faced by the Riverland Wine Industry which has been made all the more pressing owing to significant frost events and drought impacting all farming systems across the Riverland.

“Significant frost events join a long list of challenges that our primary producers have faced in the last few years. It’s an incredibly challenging time and it’s critical that financial decisions are being made with the best possible advice behind them,” Mr Pasin said.

“From drought, frost, disease and challenging market conditions in the dairy and wine industry our rural financial counsellors are instrumental in providing the advice and support our primary producers need to make the best decisions moving forward.

“While the State Government is assessing the extent of the frost damage incurred by primary producers, there is no doubt that there is additional pressure on the demand for rural financial counselling right across South Australia and our State and Federal Government’s should not delay in allocating significant additional resources to meet this demand,” 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 State and Federal Labor to show some compassion for what 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 last month.

“I’ll keep fighting for whatever assistance is needed and right now, more financial councillors on the ground would be a great starting point for the entire South Australian Agricultural industry,” Mr Pasin said.