Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Drought conditions in regions across South Australia haven't garnered much attention, despite many parts experiencing deficiencies that mean that rainfall measurements are the lowest on record. We all recognise the impact of low rainfall. What is often not understood is the effect of low soil moisture. City dwellers can simply put on sprinklers, but in the regions low soil moisture is the harbinger of agricultural drought, the failure of crops, the inability to sow and significant financial losses. These losses permeate through the rural economy, affecting everyone, from fodder stores and saleyards to hobby farmers and primary producers.

Everyone in a small community is affected.

In Mayo, small square bales, round bales, large squares, chaff and silage have all increased exponentially in price, and that's, of course, if you can find it. Essentially we need this. We need this to feed horses and we need this to feed livestock, particularly when the paddocks are lean.

We need to have a national conversation about the low rainfall that South Australia's experiencing. We can't make it rain, but we can consider what supports we should put in place—financial, social or otherwise—and we must be thinking about this now. This is not a conversation for after next winter. So I implore this place; let's have a conversation about how drought conditions are affecting South Australia.