THE State Liberals have pledged to help farmers involved in land access disputes with resource companies by funding the Small Business Commissioner to facilitate the resolution of complaints.
If elected at next year’s election, a Liberal State Government will develop and implement an industry code of contact to allow farmers to access an independent agency to provide them with advice and advocacy when an exploration or mining company seeks access to their land.
Shadow Energy and Mining Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan said the independent commissioner would seek to address the “significant power imbalance” between resource companies and farmers running small businesses.
“Our agriculture and mining sectors are both fundamental components of South Australia’s economy and great contributors to regional employment, which is why it is so important that we appropriately manage the interaction between them,” he said.
“It can be a very stressful experience for farmers when a resource company expresses its intention to access their land and often farmers can’t afford high legal costs to seek advice on their rights and the process.
“By giving our farmers adequate support, we’re levelling the playing field and setting them up to get a fair and equitable outcome.”
Liberal candidate for MacKillop Nick McBride said the announcement addressed the contentious issue of mining on agricultural land in the South East and provided landholders with an independent advocate.
“The local community in the state’s South East are understandably very concerned about resource companies seeking access to agricultural land,” he said.
“This Marshall Liberal policy will give our farmers a voice and ensure they have a well-resourced and independent agency to turn for advice and advocacy.
“The State Liberals recognise the important role that primary production plays in supporting regional jobs and the economy in the state’s South East and that’s why we have committed to a 10 year moratorium on fracking in the South East.”
