FAMILY First's Robert Brokenshire has condemned the Premier’s claim in the weekend media that the Rudd Government’s announcement of $57 million in exit packages for Riverland irrigators is the “last piece in the jigsaw”.

“State and Federal Labor just don’t get what Murray irrigators need," Mr Brokenshire said.

“Murray irrigators are the first part of the jigsaw in this State’s economy, not the last. They saved the State after the State Bank disaster, and they deserve better than money to just walk off the land.

“This package (of up to $170m for irrigators to walk off the land) is just part of the puzzle. A full restructure is what is required.

"I am a dairyfarmer who came through the dairy industry restructure – that was a comprehensive approach to industry that covered:

1. funding those who want to stay in the industry to expand or reshape;

2. allowing those who want to exit to do so with dignity; and

3. helping allied businesses, such as processors, to build new export and other business opportunities.

“Where will South Australia’s food come from? China? Chile?

“Money to walk away will decimate our foodbowl. EC funding doesn’t work in horticulture. We need a proper restructure due to drought, part of which is buyback of permanent water allocation at $4000 a megalitre, and the greater part is a comprehensive restructure – so remaining growers can grow their businesses and we can maintain a foodbowl along the Murray-Darling Basin.”

Mr Brokenshire has committed to fighting for a proper restructure package for Murray irrigators.

“If this is a jigsaw, then I’m puzzled by the Government’s simplistic offerings to irrigators,” he said.

“We need to accelerate the buyback at $4000/mgL.”