18 June 2025
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:53): I rise to speak on the Drought Response and Recovery Coordinator Bill. I recognise that this legislation is being advanced by the opposition on the basis that they consider it necessary in terms of being a step towards ensuring that South Australia is better prepared for the increasing threat of drought, an issue that is no longer seasonal or cyclical but increasingly chronic, and driven by the exhilarating impacts of climate change.
The bill establishes a drought response and recovery coordinator, a role that will be critical in ensuring that drought conditions are recognised early, that responses are swift and effective, and that recovery efforts are coordinated across government, industry and community. It also provides for the development of a drought response and recovery plan and the establishment of a dedicated fund to support those affected.
The Greens support this bill, but we also believe that it should go further. That is why the Greens are moving amendments to ensure the coordinator's work is aligned with South Australia's climate change targets under the Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act. Our amendments will embed climate change as a core consideration in drought response and recovery planning because the science is clear: droughts are becoming more frequent, more severe and more prolonged due to a warming climate.
According to the Climate Council, South Australia has already warmed by nearly 1º over the past century. The last decade was our hottest on record. By 2030, the number of extremely hot days, those above 35º, is projected to rise significantly, increasing the risk of heat-related illness, crop failure and water stress.
Rainfall patterns are also changing. Southern South Australia has experienced a clear decline in rainfall since the 1970s, and the trend is expected to continue. The Murray-Darling Basin, a lifeline for our state's agriculture and communities, is drying. During the Millennium Drought river flows dropped to less than half the long-term average. These are not just anomalies, they are previews of a new normal.
Let's be clear: drought is not just a rural issue, it affects food security, water supply, mental health and economic resilience across the state. It impacts First Nations communities, small businesses and urban households. It places enormous pressure on our emergency services, our health systems and our environment.
That is why our amendments are so important. They ensure the coordinator's plans and actions are not just reactive but proactive, guided by climate science, aligned with emissions reduction goals and focused on building long-term resilience. We must not treat drought as an isolated emergency; it is a symptom of a broader climate crisis, and our response must reflect that reality.
This bill provides a strong foundation, it establishes a clear framework for declaring drought emergencies, coordinating responses and supporting recovery. It ensures transparency and accountability through reporting requirements and oversight mechanisms, but without a clear mandate to consider climate change we risk missing the mark by treating the symptoms without addressing the causes.
Our amendments would ensure the coordinator's work is future focused, that drought response plans are informed by climate projections and that recovery efforts support not just rebuilding but adaptation. I understand the sector has expressed some concerns regarding some elements of the bill, and I also note the views the government has expressed. I am still inclined to support the bill on the basis that it sends a clear message around the importance of managing drought, but I will, of course, closely monitor the committee stage.