Independent Senator Nick Xenophon says South Australian irrigators have been completely dudded in the federal budget.
Senator Xenophon says SA farmers who took the initiative to invest in making their farms water efficient have been penalised for their early action.
He says irrigators in the eastern states will get the lion's share of the 5.9 billion dollars allocated under the Water for the Future program .. to make their farms water efficient.
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The scheme allows Australian farmers to access funds to upgrade water efficiency infrastructure .. and get to keep half of the water savings.
South Australian farmers began making the same water efficiency changes as far back as 1968 and many don't qualify for the funding.
Senator Xenophon says work done by Riverland farmers and the costs they've incurred to save water needs to be recognised by the government.
Snelling says budget a mixed bag for SA
The federal budget presented a "mixed bag" for South Australia with extra funds for workplace training and mental health but a hit to GST revenues, Treasurer Jack Snelling says.
Mr Snelling said the $3 billion program to address the skills shortage across Australia, including 130,000 new training places, would help address any threats to the development of SA's booming mining sector.
But, he said, the budget also confirmed a significant cut to GST returns which would impact on his own budget, to be brought down next month.
For SA, the shortfall this year will be in the order of $140 million.
"That presents challenges when it comes to preparing the budget for the state," he said.
"It's a substantial reduction in GST receipts."
But Mr Snelling said mental health was an area in much need of extra funding and the federal government had also appeared to honour previous commitments on infrastructure spending, including funds for road and rail upgrades.
The SA government will also take a look at incentives provided for superannuation funds to invest in infrastructure projects.
"I need to get more detail but it does offer opportunities for South Australia," he said.
"As our state economy develops and the mining boom takes off, there's going to be demand for even more infrastructure.
"So, any innovative ways of financing those projects will be welcome."
