Questions go unanswered on wine support

The Malinauskas Government appears to be failing to use an existing $28.4 million fund to support struggling South Australian wine grape growers.

When questioned about whether the Government had used the Rural Industry Adjustment and Development Fund over the past four years, the Minister for Primary Industries, Clare Scriven, took the question on notice.

When asked whether she would consider activating concessional loan support for wine grape growers facing severe financial pressure, the question was also taken on notice.

Dr Centofanti said the inability of the Government to provide immediate answers was concerning given the ongoing challenges facing the wine grape industry.

“Many wine grape growers are facing prolonged oversupply, declining returns and extremely difficult market conditions, with some looking to diversify or transition parts of their operations just to remain viable,” Dr Centofanti said.

“The Auditor-General’s Report clearly states this Fund exists to provide loans and grants to assist producers and support industry adjustment, yet the Government could not explain whether it has been used to support growers in South Australia.”

The Rural Industry Adjustment and Development Fund is identified in the recently tabled Auditor- General’s Report as holding net assets of approximately $28.4 million and is legislated to provide loans and grants to assist farmers, industry adjustment and projects benefiting primary producers.

“I asked whether the Government would consider providing true no and low-interest concessional loans to assist growers diversify, transition to alternative crops or invest in new value-adding opportunities, and the Minister was unable to provide an answer.”

“At a time when many regional families are under significant financial pressure, South Australians would rightly expect the Government to be actively exploring every available tool to support wine grape growers, not taking basic questions on notice.”