SA Farmers and Politicians Up In Arms Over Heavy Handed NRM Tactics

Liberal, Independent Family First MPs joined farmers who travelled to a FlagSa rally at Victor Harbor on Sunday to voice concern over the range of powers given to National Resource Management (NRM) Boards around the state. 

NRM employees enjoy greater powers than the South Australian Police Force (SAPOL).  They require no warrant issued by a judge to enter a property or to inspect any financial records relevant to farm operations. 

The NRM legislation also overturns the common law principal of innocent until proven guilty; if the NRM decide that a breach has been committed or a farmer is in any way non-compliant, the onus is on the accused to prove themselves innocent. 

Independent Legislative Council member John Darley said farmers from the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu, the Mid North, Yorke Peninsula and the West Coast have contacted his office concerned about the NRM powers.

Government and NRM representatives declined an invitation to attend the rally on the weekend.

Other concerns include unrealistic and proscriptive conditions imposed on farmers in managing their land.  Independent MLC Anne Bressington said that the current legislation had “little to do with the environment and was more about revenue raising” while Family First MP Rob Brokenshire commented that the SA Labor Government had a “city centric” approach and understood little of the problems faced by farmers in SA.

Mr Brokenshire is concerned that the State is losing the ability to produce food and suggested that the 2004 NRM act should be renamed The Sustainable Farming and Natural Resources Management Act to balance the needs of farmers with the need to protect the environment.

Mr Caica, Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, said in an interview aired on the ABC on Sunday night said he had extended invitations to FagSA representatives on numerous occasions to meet and discuss issues.

FlagSa representative and Fluerieu Peninsula cattle breeder Mr Peter Manuel responded: “Mr Caica knows my phone number and the phone number of every member of the FlagSa committee.  We have not received any invitation from him”

Mr John Darley confirmed this in his closing remarks when he stated that his office was in constant communication with Mr Caica’s and that Mr Caica was well aware of the weekend’s meeting and had not extended any invitation to meet with FlagSa representatives.

Farmers and FlagSa will continue to lobby politicians to overturn many of the more onerous provisions of the current legislation.