State budget 2020-2021 released

The Marshall Liberal Government has delivered the 2020-21 State Budget.

This Budget invests more than $1.6 billion in new measures to support regional South Australia that will build the important infrastructure, provide better services, support economic growth and create jobs.

The Budget includes over $187 million in key measures for the Department of Primary Industries and Regions supporting regional communities and our primary industries.

These include more than $67 million for bushfire recovery across the Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island, the Yorke Peninsula and the South East. More than $23 million in Emergency Bushfire Response in Primary Industries Grants have already been paid out to bushfire affected farmers, with individual grants up to $75,000.

Drought-affected farmers and communities will continue to be supported through the $21 million Drought Support Package, which has already seen:

• $6.85 million in On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebates approved;
• $2.69 million in local council rate and pastoral lease rent rebates paid; and
• $24,480 in wild dog bounties paid with 204 wild dogs destroyed.

The Marshall Liberal Government is investing more than $40 million to strengthen biosecurity, including initiatives to ensure South Australia remains fruit fly free.

The Regional Growth Fund is provided with $25 million in the State Budget 2020-21, including an extra $10 million on top of the special one-off $15 million stimulus round to support the economic recovery of regional areas and create jobs in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are backing business with a $2.4 million AgTech Solutions package to promote the adoption of best practice agricultural technologies, building on the launch of the South Australian AgTech Strategic Plan and Food, Wine and Agribusiness sector plan under the Growth State initiative.

The State Budget 2020-21 delivers $24.5 million to support the historic reform of the commercial marine scalefish fishery as well as $16 million to upgrade the South Australian Aquatic Sciences Centre at West Beach and $15 million for regional jetty and boat ramp upgrades.

The Marshall Liberal Government is building what matters to keep South Australians safe and strong, back businesses and create jobs.

Further information on the State Budget 2020-21 can be found at https://statebudget.sa.gov.au