SOUTH Australia's agricultural sector will have to adopt a wait-and-see approach before knowing the full effect of the Federal Budget handed down on Tuesday.
The South Australian Farmers' Federation yesterday (Wednesday) said that it had concerns about the lack of funding specifically targeted for SA.
"The Building Australia Fund would seem to be a positive move forward in addressing critical communications and transport infrastructure issues in rural and regional Australia, but at this stage, we don't know how much of that is coming our way," SAFF chief executive officer Carol Vincent said.
"SAFF is cautious about this Budget until the dollars and projects for rural and regional South Australia are solidly on the table and we are absolutely positive that strong investment in SA rural and regional communities and agricultural production is guaranteed."
Noting it was 25 minutes into the Budget speech before Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan mentioned the words rural and regional Australia, Ms Vincent said that, on first reading, SAFF was satisfied with the $130 million allocated for Australia's Farming Future.
As expected, a $15m national weed research centre is set to replace the axed Cooperative Research Centre for Australian Weed Management, based at the University of Adelaide's Waite Campus.