The South Australian Government has provided more than $40million in today's State Budget, to improve biosecurity including initiatives to ensure the state remains fruit fly free.
"Protecting South Australia’s fruit fly pest-free status remains a priority and we will continue to spend what we need to ensure our horticulture industry has that market advantage around the world," Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said. “Our zero-tolerance policy has successfully reduced the threat of Queensland fruit fly from the east but with Mediterranean fruit fly outbreaks in metropolitan Adelaide we are planning to expand this approach to our western border."
He added that drought-affected primary producers will continue to be supported through the targeted $21 million Drought Support Package.
“We will continue to provide support to our primary producers who need it through our bushfire recovery programs and our Drought Support Package," Mr Basham said. “South Australia’s regions will be critical to our economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic which is why we are investing in our agricultural industries to increase productivity and create jobs."
Meanwhile, $48.8m was paid to small businesses and not-for-profits impacted by COVID-19 through Small Business Grants Round 1. The 2020-21 Budget provides further support to regional small business through the second round of small business grants.
$293m was provided for supporting regions impacted by bushfires and providing immediate relief, recovery and response.
“The Government’s Regional Growth Fund has been successfully backing our regional economies since its introduction in 2018 and the extra funding in this year’s budget will provide immediate stimulus investment in our regional communities," Mr Basham said.
Photo courtesy: Premier Steven Marshall's Twitter
For more information on the SA Budget, click here
Protecting jobs and small business at the centre of budget spending in the Northern Territory
The Chief Minister and Treasurer, Michael Gunner admitted that spending on infrastructure projects would be limited this year, after forecasting a $2.45 billion deficit in the Territory's budget, which was also released today.
"There is no long shopping list in this budget," he said. "This is a budget for the times. It’s firmly focused on our priorities – protecting the Territory, protecting jobs, and kick-starting the Territory’s comeback."
Plant industries are worth $445 million to the Territory economy directly; a quarter of this value comes from mangoes, followed by melons and vegetables. A key part of the Budget included the Territory’s Jobs First Plan, including a number of small business initiatives. One is the Territory Small Business Supply Chain Solver, which provides $2million to help find solutions to supply chain issues affecting Territory businesses.
A $10 million investment was also made to slash red tape for new and expanding Territory small businesses, by bringing standard food and retail approval applications fully online. This will allow new and expanding businesses to: submit applications, track applications, exchange further information, and receive their approvals online.
The Territory has also previously released three parcels of land through the NT Land Corporation – Keep River Plains, Wildman River and Larrimah, earmarked for agricultural development.
For more information on the NT Budget, click here