The Hon. Nicola Centofanti, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries (SA), Media Release, 26 March 2024
The Malinauskas Labor Government and Greens have joined forces to block pastoralists from making up 50 per cent of the Pastoral Board membership in a disgraceful move.
The disappointing alliance gave Labor and the Greens power to vote down the crucial amendment to safeguard the Pastoral Lands Management and Conservation Act against hands-off land management.
The amendment – brought on by Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Nicola Centofanti in the Upper House – would have given current or former pastoralists with on-ground experience the chance to make up half of the Board membership.
The Opposition welcomes the diversification of land use and investment in carbon farming, but only if it’s done responsibly and with proper land management as a central focus.
“This is a disgraceful move by Peter Malinauskas’ Labor Party and the Greens to completely write off the expertise of pastoralists – a low act by political parties focussed only on the city,” Dr Centofanti said.
“The Liberal Party moved sensible amendments on behalf of pastoralists across our state who wanted a greater say on the Pastoral Board.
“With 90 per cent of our pastoral estate dedicated to pastoral purposes, it highlights the significance of maintaining the balance of practical pastoral experience on the Board. We sought to retain the central purpose of the Pastoral Board – managing pastoral leases and continued stewardship of South Australian pastoral lands.”
“We also sought to ensure the Presiding Member of the Board has pastoral experience – again, aiming to ensure that the people around the table have a practical knowledge base to inform decision-making.
“What we can’t afford is a situation where land is labelled for conservation and the owners are divested of management, a lock-and-leave arrangement.
“This off-hands approach presents a huge biosecurity risk from feral animals to invasive plant and pest incursion. Land needs to be managed. It needs people on the ground, demonstrating active stewardship and responsibility.
“Labor and the Greens would have you believe that simply leaving land the “way it is” is the best option for the environment and sustainability.
“That is a fantasy. Pastoral country can be tough. Feral animals exploit poorly maintained fences. Invasive weeds thrive with a lack of land management. We are one lock-and-leave lease away from a pest problem if we don’t get the oversight right.
“The change of use that the Bill enables can ultimately lead to a reduction in pastoral land being utilised for food production.
“With food security high on the mind of the global market, this again outlines the need for the voices of experienced pastoralists on the Board.
“Pastoralists focus on good management and prudent use of land to ensure the land’s resources are maintained and its yields sustained. Pastoralists are innovative and not afraid to diversify the use of their land, and many welcome the ability for greater flexibility to supplement income streams and spread the risk.
“However, it is important that if land is going to be used for different purposes, that the same rules apply for these landholders as those that apply for pastoralists.
“During the debate, the Minister for Environment and Water Susan close said that the Pastoral Board’s powers in relation to the management of pastoral lands will not change unless conditions are varied by the Pastoral Board. This emphasises the critical importance of ensuring the pastoral board truly represents our state’s pastoral community, otherwise, my fear is that we risk seeing a relaxing of these conditions over time.”
