South Australian Election Critical for Livestock Industry

With the South Australian state election approaching, Livestock SA is urging all political parties to commit to policies that strengthen the long-term future of the livestock industry.

The organisation has presented both government and opposition with a clear set of evidence-based priorities, grounded in the SA Red Meat and Wool Blueprint 2030.

Key priorities include enabling producers to participate in environmental and natural capital markets, including emissions reduction, biodiversity management, and carbon initiatives. Livestock SA is calling for frameworks that allow producers to retain data ownership and navigate regulatory uncertainty.

Fixing critical freight infrastructure is another focus. More than 75 per cent of the state’s freight moves by road, but regional livestock routes face a maintenance backlog exceeding $2 billion. Targeted investment would improve productivity, animal welfare, and export competitiveness.

The organisation also wants a dedicated rural finance and development agency to support producers through droughts, floods, and market shocks, strengthening regional resilience and long-term risk management.

Workforce shortages and regulatory duplication remain ongoing challenges. Livestock SA is advocating for streamlined rural approvals, stronger alignment with national frameworks, and investment in workforce development and succession planning.

Biosecurity is also a priority, with ageing truck-wash infrastructure leaving gaps in the state’s first line of defence against threats like foot-and-mouth and lumpy skin disease. Strategic investment here is seen as low-cost insurance with high returns.

CEO Travis Tobin says the livestock industry has put forward a clear plan, and now political parties must demonstrate they understand and will support what underpins South Australia’s economy.