30 April 2025

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:06): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Minister for Regional Development on the topic of regional housing.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: This morning, Anglicare released its annual housing affordability snapshot. The report shows that for a single person on JobSeeker or Youth Allowance there are no affordable homes in regional South Australia, not even in share house accommodation—not even one affordable home. For a single person on the minimum wage only 5 per cent of properties were affordable in north and west country SA, the Limestone Coast, the Riverland and the Murraylands. The report by Anglicare recommends more social and affordable homes and states:

With the private rental market failing so many people, we must invest in homes for people [that] need them most. Ending our affordable housing shortfall would be the most powerful way to tackle the rental crisis—and boost our regional economy. The Federal and State governments must work together [to] end this shortfall.

My question to the Minister for Regional Development is:

1. How many public houses and affordable homes have been built by the Malinauskas government in the regions so far?

2. When will people in the regions expect to see more housing delivered?

3. Is the minister concerned that affordable housing is out of reach for her constituents in regional South Australia?

4. Will she advocate for a rent freeze to finally provide renters in the regions with some relief?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:07): I thank the honourable member for his question. I will refer the question to the Minister for Housing and bring back a response.

1 April 2025

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:12): I congratulate the Attorney-General on delivering those historic reforms. I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on the topic of wheat production.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Last month, I asked the minister whether she could outline the impact losing 1 per cent of the state's prime food production area would have on gross state product. In her response she stated that, and I quote from the Hansard:

…in terms of the impact, until we know which landowners will take up the opportunity to have their land changed in use and sold, we can't guess at what the impacts in terms of value will be.

Independent analysis released yesterday by Grain Producers SA shows that the areas proposed by the government produce nearly 23,000 metric tonnes of grain annually, enough to bake over 57 million loaves of bread. The report claims that this equates to $8 million in annual production value. The report further states that the government's proposed changes to the environment and food production areas will affect areas that are 33 per cent more productive than the state average. My questions to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, therefore, are:

1. Is the minister adequately protecting food production areas in her capacity as Minister for Primary Industries?
2. Does the minister believe that the state should be reducing its annual yield of wheat in high-yield areas while we are in the middle of a drought?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:14): I thank the honourable member for his question. As I mentioned in my previous answer several weeks ago, the proposed changes to the environmental and food production areas represent less than 1 per cent of the agricultural land within the Greater Adelaide area.

The housing crisis is well documented and, I would hope, well understood by those of us here in this chamber. We are seeing fewer people able to purchase their own homes. We are seeing a rental crisis. The Malinauskas Labor government has taken a wide variety of actions to assist with this, but one of the most important is to provide additional supply. That is something that needs, obviously, things such as changes to planning regulations or laws, it can require code amendments and it requires infrastructure.

The Malinauskas Labor government is keen to ensure that there is a choice of housing styles. In the city, certain types of housing will be different, perhaps, to those who have young families and want space and a yard for their kids to play. This is something that is incredibly important to many South Australians. It is also, of course, very important to maintain our food supplies and food security—after all, we export many tonnes of grain around the world, and we often talk in a very positive way about how we are feeding the state, feeding the nation and feeding the world.

There are difficult decisions to be made to find the right balance between providing housing—which is so important to the people of South Australia—and maintaining our agricultural industries. This government will continue to try to find that balance.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:16): Supplementary: the minister referenced the importance of providing food security. Does she believe that the state should be reducing its annual yield of wheat in high yield areas while we are in the middle of a drought?

The PRESIDENT: Minister, you did mention yield, I think, so you can answer it if you wish; you don't have to.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:17): In the most recent trade statistics, I think the total value of grains that South Australian farmers exported overseas was about $3.28 billion in the 12 months to this January. Obviously, we want to continue to have exports as an important part of our economy. We need to balance, at all times, all the competing demands within our economy and within our community.

20 March 2025

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:15): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on the topic of food production areas.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: On Monday, the Malinauskas government announced their plans to allow agricultural land to be developed by amending the environment and food production area. Yesterday in question time the Minister for Regional Development stated that only 1 per cent of the Greater Adelaide food production area would be impacted by the government's plan. It has been noted, however, that some of the land is South Australia's prime agricultural land.

According to PIRSA data, primary industries and agribusiness contributed $7.78 billion to South Australia's gross state product and supported 78,000 jobs in 2022-23. The field crop sector represents 42 per cent of total state revenue for the year. My questions to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, therefore, are:

1. Can the minister indicate what a 1 per cent loss of prime food production land in Greater Adelaide would mean in dollar terms?

2. What impact would this have on the state's gross state product?

3. What would be the total impact over the 30 years of the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:16): I thank the honourable member for his question. I think it is important, again, to reiterate the need to get a balance between addressing the very significant housing crisis that we currently have and the number of people who are unable to find housing or affordable housing and the production of our vital food supply. They are areas that can work together that can be complementary; notwithstanding, there are obviously tensions when we are looking at the usage of land.

However, I think the fact that it is less than 1 per cent of the agricultural land within the Greater Adelaide area is significant in that it is an opportunity to increase housing supply very significantly, and it is an opportunity to work closely with primary industries around how best to manage those, working closely together, side by side.

It is also important to emphasise that whilst the Greater Adelaide plan and the proposals before parliament will enable that land to change—that less than 1 per cent—there is still a lot to go through. There needs to be the code amendments and the other processes that are an important and essential part of any changes, and of course no-one will be forced to sell their land. Farmers won't be required to sell their land.

So in terms of the impact, until we know which landowners will take up the opportunity to have their land changed in use and sold, we can't guess at what the impacts in terms of value will be.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:18): Supplementary: has the minister done any estimation of the economic impact of this plan, and, if not, why hasn't she or her department done any modelling before announcing such a plan?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:19): I thank the honourable member for his supplementary question, or his additional question, as the case may be. There has been a huge amount of work that has gone into developing the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan. There was a draft plan released, and the Minister for Planning was involved with a great deal of consultation, as was his department. That consultation included, of course, other government departments, as well as peak bodies and many more.

I think there needs to really be a strong emphasis on how we can move forward together, both agricultural industries and housing. They are both important and I am very pleased that we have had a number of productive meetings talking about how to best move forward. I am surprised, I must say, that the honourable member seems to be implying that we don't need additional housing. He is saying that it is not important. I did hear him on the radio recently.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I did hear him on the radio recently saying that there should be—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Simms! The Hon. Ms Girolamo!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I did hear him on the radio recently, and whilst obviously I can't remember the words verbatim, it was along the lines of there should be more high rise. They should be living in high rise or medium density here in the city.

The important part of our housing plan going forward is that we are able to offer choice to people. It may well be at certain times in one's life that living in an apartment in the CBD might well be an appropriate choice. When people are then partnered and have children they may not wish to live in an apartment in the CBD. So I think it is important that we have a variety of housing styles. We are constrained at the moment and I think anyone in this chamber should be concerned about those people in our community who are finding it incredibly hard to find housing.

19 March 2025

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:38): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on the topic of the removal of food production areas.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The Malinauskas government has announced their plan to allow agricultural land to be developed by amending the environment and food production area. Several primary production advocates have publicly raised concerns about this proposal, including Grain Producers SA, Livestock SA and Primary Producers SA.

Grain Producers SA chief executive, Brad Perry, has said that the changes would take some of the best farmland in the state out of production. He told the ABC that, and I quote:

We can't be sacrificing prime cropping land with good rainfall and turning that into housing—that's land that will never go back into production after that.

The minister has previously told this place that she has a respectful relationship with primary production organisations such as Grain Producers SA, and that they meet regularly. My question, therefore, to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development is: did the minister consult with local food producers on the removal of cropping land before the plan was announced, and is the minister concerned that South Australia will be losing prime agricultural land?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:40): I thank the honourable member for his question. I think the important point to note here is that we need to have both prime agricultural land and food security, and that of course requires a strong agricultural sector. We also need to have housing for the population of Adelaide, which is growing. The Greater Adelaide Regional Plan attempts to meet all of the necessary requirements, both for now but, more importantly, for the future, for the next 30 years. It sets out the expected land supply for the next 30 years.

The impacts on the food production areas are less than 1 per cent of the agricultural land within the Greater Adelaide region. It also looks at land that is, according to my advice, adjacent to existing developments. I have had conversations with Primary Producers SA, with Grain Producers SA, and with Livestock SA, among others, about this matter as well as other matters to do with the importance of agriculture going forward.

I think it is also important to note that the opportunity to be able to thoughtfully design future development and provide certainty for the next 30 years is important to all sectors, including agriculture. So whilst I acknowledge the concerns that have been raised, I certainly reiterate that the amount of land that is affected is less than 1 per cent of the agricultural land within the Greater Adelaide area.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:42): Supplementary: did the minister have these discussions with stakeholders before the government made the announcement or did stakeholders simply read the news in the paper on Monday?

The PRESIDENT: Minister, you talked about your engagement with stakeholders.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:42): I have spoken with stakeholders very recently. The development of the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan has been part of a very long process. There has been a lot of consultation and that, of course, is under the auspices of my colleague the Minister for Planning in the other place.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:42): Supplementary: as part of the discussions that the minister referenced in her original answer, did she flag that an announcement would be made on Monday, or did these stakeholders simply read of the news in the paper? Did they get any advanced warning of what was coming down the line?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:43): I am not in the habit of saying exactly when I meet with stakeholders and exactly the nature of the discussions, but I think what I can say is that I provided as much information as early as possible.

18 March 2025

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:08): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on the topic of regional power.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Last week, more than 26,000 homes were without power in the Mid North and on Yorke Peninsula at a time when the temperatures were in the high thirties. The outage resulted in business owners estimating significant financial impacts after having to discard thousands of dollars worth of stock. ElectraNet has claimed that there was a build-up of pollutants on insulators from dust and salt. A spokesperson for the company has said that this will remain a challenge until, and I quote, 'Good rain settles the dust and washes the equipment.' He went on to further state that it is 'simply not possible to wash all of the state's Stobie poles'.

My question to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, therefore, is: what is the minister doing to ensure regional communities are not left without power during heatwaves and bushfire danger days, and will the government commit to finally bringing the electricity network back into public hands to ensure that regional communities are not at the mercy of private corporations who put profits above services?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:09): I thank the honourable member for his question. I think most of us here would have been having grave concerns for those in the areas that were impacted by such a significant inability to access power. As the honourable member has pointed out, the electricity assets are in control of the private sector following, of course, those opposite or their predecessors selling off ETSA back in the nineties. It is something that looking at last week's experiences I would hope that they may reflect on, but I think they continue to defend it.

I am certainly happy to refer the question to the Minister for Energy in the other place to see if he has anything to add. Of course, he was on radio last week. I understand that he was in communication with ElectraNet, if I remember correctly, and was certainly placing as much pressure as was possible for them to fix the issue. If he has something to add to this I will bring it back to the chamber.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:11): Supplementary question: given the minister's concerns around privatisation of our electricity, will she be advocating for power to be put back in the hands of the people of South Australia?

The PRESIDENT: I think you did allude to the privatisation aspect, minister, so you may choose to answer, or you may choose to not answer.

Members interjecting:

5 March 2025

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:05): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on the topic of regional housing.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Yesterday, the ABC reported that regional housing shortages are being exacerbated by the lack of essential infrastructure, such as sewerage, water supply and power. Kingston District Council has said that such infrastructure projects will be multimillion dollar ventures that are far beyond councils' financial capacity to deliver.

The National Regional Housing Summit last year heard evidence that small towns have plenty of residential land available, but a lack of infrastructure has made them not ready for development. The government's own document from 2023, A Better Housing Future, states there is strong demand for housing in regional towns and, according to data from the Valuer-General, the median house prices for regional SA have increased by 14 per cent over the last 12 months. My questions, therefore, to the Minister for Regional Development are:

1. What communication has the minister had with these regional councils?

2. What action has she taken to ensure they have the infrastructure they need, or is this just another case of 'that's not her job'?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:06): I thank the honourable member for his question. He asked what engagement I have had with councils and I am pleased to say that I engage very regularly with councils across the state, whether that be through formal forums, and that could include things such as our country cabinet forums, through one-on-one meetings or other mechanisms.

I think it is something the Malinauskas Labor government has taken a strong lead on in terms of addressing the housing crisis. We established the Office for Regional Housing vey early in our term and of course the things that that office is looking at include those very matters—the infrastructure. As a government we have been looking at those now for several years.

A number of initiatives have already been announced. Of course, we have a vast state, but to mention a few: over on the Eyre Peninsula they are facing severe threats to their water supply, with the basin getting to unsustainably low levels, which is why there is going to be a desal plant finally constructed on the Eyre Peninsula—incredibly important for water security for existing residents, not to mention expanding developments. I think there is a strong focus from this government. I am pleased that we work as a team across this government, because we are keen to be able to deliver for all South Australians. We have a strong focus on our regional communities and will continue to do so.

6 February 2025

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:11): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Minister for Regional Development on the topic of the Whyalla Steelworks.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: This morning, it has been reported that the government's proposed $600 million hydrogen project is in doubt due to the ongoing issues with GFG Alliance and the Whyalla Steelworks. Yesterday, the Premier revealed that GFG Alliance owes the state tens of millions of dollars. The hydrogen project was to be one of the key energy suppliers for the production of green steel at the steelworks and the cornerstone of the Labor government's jobs plan for the Whyalla region. Now, thousands of regional jobs hang in the balance.

In 2023, when this place was considering the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Bill, the Greens pushed for the bill to be referred to a select committee so that the parliament could examine the risks associated with the hydrogen project, including the economic benefits. At that time, Labor did not support any scrutiny of the bill.

My question to the Minister for Regional Development is: given the thousands of jobs that now hang in the balance, does the minister concede it was a mistake to block the Greens' proposal to refer the bill to a select committee so that the risk could have been properly scrutinised; why didn't Labor allow appropriate scrutiny of their hydrogen plan; and what does this mean for the regions?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:13): I thank the honourable member for his question. I think this chamber has a good track record in scrutinising legislation and this one was no exception.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! I will listen to your supplementary, the Hon. Mr Simms.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:13): Does the minister consider passing a bill of this magnitude—that committed the state to spending $600 million—in one sitting day appropriate scrutiny; why was Labor so reluctant to give this bill the scrutiny it deserves; and what does it have to say to the people of Whyalla who have their livelihoods on the line?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! A supplementary question has to arise from the original answer.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Well, actually, I don't think it did, okay? I'm sorry.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Dennis Hood, a supplementary question arising from the original answer.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:14): Supplementary: minister, are you suggesting that an item costing some 3 per cent of the state budget is not worthy of scrutiny by a select committee?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: Is not worthy of scrutiny by a select committee?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: Well, I disagree, but anyway.

The PRESIDENT: Order! While you are on your feet, the Hon. Dennis Hood, you can ask your next question. Okay?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

13 November 2024

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:33): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Minister for Regional Development on the topic of housing in the regions.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Not sheep tagging today, Mr President. This month, new data released by PropTrack revealed that with a median price of $449,000 the cost of housing in South Australia's regions is as expensive as it has ever been and up more than 75 per cent since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shelter SA executive director Alice Clark has warned that housing was already unaffordable for low income households, but is becoming unaffordable for middle income families too, stating, and I quote:

There doesn’t seem to be any plan for housing in regional South Australia, with the State Government’s focus on metropolitan suburbs and market housing underlined by an underinvestment in social housing.

My question to the Minister for Regional Development is: when will the government finally invest in the social and public housing desperately needed to address the housing crisis in our regions?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:35): I thank the honourable member for his question. It is certainly the case that the Malinauskas Labor government has a housing plan, in contrast to those opposite. It is something that is key throughout our state, not just in metropolitan Adelaide but certainly through our regional areas as well. Of course, there has already been the Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme, which has been announced for some time now, and a number of those houses have already started to be constructed and, if I remember correctly, a number have been completed with more on the way.

That is an important scheme in terms of making sure that we can also fill the gaps in particular occupations, particularly in areas such as health, education and so on. I appreciate that this is one small step, but it is part of the coordinated steps—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Attorney-General!

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Point of order: I am actually interested in the response to the question. This is a matter of importance to me, thank you. It is about the housing crisis.

The PRESIDENT: As am I. Please, let's listen to the minister in silence.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: As I was saying, in terms of the Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme that has already begun its roll-out, it is important not only in terms of housing per se but also in terms of being able to attract and retain key individuals for areas such as the health system, education, police and so on.

Just very recently also, expressions of interest have opened for the development of two parcels of land in Whyalla led by Renewal SA through the Office for Regional Housing. That is intended to deliver up to 70 new homes for Whyalla. Of course, the establishment of the Office for Regional Housing itself was a key part of ensuring that we are developing projects which are suited for purpose in our different regional areas. Something that is always important to bear in mind is that it is not a one-size-fits-all in regions. They are different areas with different characteristics, different histories and, indeed, different futures. The Office for Regional Housing is continuing to do its work in terms of supporting this very important area of policy.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:37): Supplementary question: how many new public houses have been built in the regions so far, and how many will be completed before the next state election?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:37): I'm happy to take that on notice and refer it to the minister in the other place and bring back a response.

In reply to the Hon. R.A. SIMMS (13 November 2024).

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): The Minister for Housing and Urban Development has advised:

Sixty-nine new SA Housing Trust public houses have been completed to date, with a total of 182 expected to be completed by March 2026.

31 October 2024

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:03): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing a question without notice to the Minister for Primary Industries on the topic of paraquat.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: On Monday, the ABC reported that leading neurologists and movement disorder specialists have made submissions to the Australian chemical regulator, calling for a ban on paraquat over its links to Parkinson's disease. The minister has stated that the use of the chemical paraquat sits with the medical regulator, APVMA. Twenty-eight independent studies from the last 15 years have shown that animals injected with paraquat develop signs of Parkinson's disease.

In August, the ABC revealed that the report that the APVMA have relied on for their advice in relation to the connection between Parkinson's and paraquat was based on an unpublished paper by the maker of the chemical, Syngenta. The APVMA had told the ABC that they are due to make their final decision on paraquat in February next year.

My question to the Minister for Primary Industries therefore is: what is the government doing to protect the community from the risks associated with this chemical in the meantime? In particular, is she concerned about the welfare of people living in the regions who may be exposed to this chemical?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:04): I thank the honourable member for his question. I think the claims that he has made in regard to a single paper certainly are not something that appear in my briefings on this.

Paraquat is a herbicide registered for use in a range of agricultural and horticultural situations for weed control. It's considered a particularly important herbicide for use in field crop situations due to its extensive use in low-tillage farming systems and in managing weeds with chemical resistance.

The APVMA is the independent national regulator of agricultural and veterinary chemicals (agvet chemicals) up to the point of sale. The APVMA makes science-based decisions on the registration of agvet products. Paraquat has been under reconsideration by the APVMA due to concerns relating to the safety of people, including the public and users of the chemical, safety for the environment, and impact on trade.

On 30 August this year, the APVMA published its proposed regulatory decision on paraquat. The proposed regulatory decision was open for public consultation until 29 October, so just this week, with the APVMA inviting submissions of additional data to help inform the final decision. Based on the weight of evidence, the APVMA's regulatory decision proposes removing a number of current paraquat uses at high rates of application that pose an unacceptable risk to the environment. The APVMA also proposes removing the use of paraquat at high rates where the short-term risk of poisoning can't be adequately mitigated.

The APVMA considers that there is no imminent risk to human health or the safety of food. I am advised that the APVMA would have taken immediate action if there was considered to be an imminent risk identified.

This proposed regulatory decision has of course attracted interest and public comment from a range of stakeholders. Grain bodies, such as Grain Producers SA and its relevant state bodies, have been publicly supportive of the need for certain uses of paraquat to be retained, with appropriate label instructions to protect users. Medical bodies, including leading neurologists and movement disorder specialists, have, I am advised, been calling for paraquat to be banned. It's understood that a number of these stakeholders have made submissions to the APVMA on the proposed regulatory outcome.

The proposed and final regulatory decisions regarding paraquat registration and changes to label directions are for the APVMA to make. South Australia supports the APVMA as the independent science-based national regulator of agvet chemicals that determines what products can be used and how to use them safely.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) will closely monitor the final APVMA decision and appropriately enforce registration and label requirements in accordance with our state-based control-of-use legislation. I am advised that the APVMA is due to make its final regulatory decision on paraquat by 28 February 2025, and in the meantime the current registrations and label instructions remain applicable for paraquat.

11 September 2024

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:19): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to Minister for Regional Development on the topic of regional businesses and power.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: As has been noted in this chamber this week, regional businesses such as Nippy's are reporting that their energy prices are crippling their operations. The Dairyfarmers' Association have also claimed that the average rise in electricity costs is 38 per cent, while an Australian Almond Board member, Brendan Sidhu, claimed that his business has seen a 60 per cent increase in energy bills. My question to the Minister for Regional Development, therefore, is:

1. What action is the Malinauskas Labor government taking to support regional businesses with soaring energy prices?

2. Will the government commit to a commission of inquiry to consider bringing our state's energy back into public hands, and, if not, why not?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:20): I thank the honourable member for his question. I think the topic of a potential commission of inquiry would probably sit, perhaps, with the Treasurer in the other place. I am certainly happy to refer that and bring back a response.

In reply to the Hon. R.A. SIMMS (11 September 2024).

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries):

1. I am advised that an 8.5 per cent cut in the default market offer for small businesses took effect on 1 July for this financial year.

This was the biggest percentage reduction in any of the areas where the Australian Energy Regulator sets the default market offer which is the ceiling price for retailers' standing offers.

Importantly, South Australian regional business pay the same electricity prices as businesses in Adelaide. The Malinauskas government supports this policy which ensures regional businesses in South Australia get a fair go. In some other states, city businesses get cheaper prices than regional businesses.

In addition, the Malinauskas government is inviting small business to apply for grants which enhance energy efficiency, and which will deliver long-term financial benefits.

Up to 8,000 small businesses will benefit from the Economic Recovery Fund, round 2, which is open now through to 29 November 2024.

Grants of $2,500 to $50,000 are available in matched funding for energy-efficiency investments.

The grants will be available for a range of assets, including:

• Power supply and generation
• Lighting and electrical
• Energy-efficient appliances
• Heating, cooling, and refrigeration
• Water heating
• Motors, pumps, and compressors
• Building upgrades
• Process automation, controls, and automation.

Small businesses are encouraged to go to the website of the Office for Small and Family Business for full details and advice on applications.

2. The Malinauskas government does not plan to hold a commission of inquiry into government ownership of the energy system.

The privatisation of the energy system has been a public policy disaster.

However, if the extremely complex and expensive task of resuming ownership were to be undertaken, there would be a high risk that if the Liberal Party were to be elected to government at some point in the future, they would reprivatise the system again.

When last in office, they privatised the operation of 277MW of generation which had been purchased to ensure reliability by being kept in reserve.

The Malinauskas government is focused on reforms to ensure consumers have clean, affordable, reliable energy.