Almost one third of fruit fly fines are appealed as Riverland battles dozens of outbreaks

Thousands of people hit with fines for bringing fruit into SA want them overturned – as the Riverland battles dozens of fruit fly outbreaks.

Marianne Phillips, 74, was fined $407 after being found with two sealed containers of tomatoes at Swan Hill fruit fly check point in May last year. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

More travellers have been hit with biosecurity fines for illegal produce at state borders but thousands of penalties are appealed as the Riverland battles dozens of fruit fly outbreaks.

Official figures show almost 25,000 fines were imposed at six quarantine stations in a “zero tolerance” crackdown over the past four years to protect lucrative crops from the pest.

But as biosecurity authorities fight 43 fruit fly outbreaks in the Riverland, statistics show more than 6,700 expiations have been challenged since 2019, or almost one in three.

Nearly 500 people successfully overturned the penalties, for various reasons including providing proof fruit and vegetables were bought in SA, and a further 129 offenders “chose” to be prosecuted, Primary Industries and Regions statistics show.

Under state law, a notice is given to offenders before a $411 fine is imposed.

The Riverland is currently battling 43 Queensland fruit fly outbreaks although no new outbreaks were declared in the past fortnight, raising hope authorities maybe winning their war.

While tourist leaders called for better education of visitors to SA, producers welcomed the crackdown as necessary to product the state’s $1.4 billion horticulture industry.

Among those who appealed was western suburbs grandmother of two Marianne Phillips, 74, who was the only person to be fined at Swan Reach station, 170km northeast of Adelaide.

Mrs Phillips has been left outraged by her fine. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Mrs Phillips, a mother of one from Glenelg South, was fined $407 after being caught with two sealed packets of tomatoes, which she kept after throwing out all her other fruit when travelling from NSW in May last year.

While the widow’s appeal failed, she has been left outraged at the lack of compassion as her late husband Peter, then 74, was sick.

“It’s absolutely disgusting,” she said.

“It is such a dreadful introduction to the state for visitors especially those who do the right thing but might miss some fruit. What sort of look is that for our beautiful state.”

Biosecurity safety exploded into national prominence before Gather Round earlier this year after Mick Molloy, one of Australia’s top comics and co-host of Channel 7 footy show, The Front Bar, was accused of a “reckless joke” about smuggling fruit over the Victorian border.

Biosecurity inspection officers at the border during Gather Round. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Last year 8203 fines were imposed, which is a 12 per cent increase on the almost 7,300 expiations issued in 2019. Just 213 fines were handed out in 2018 at Bordertown.

Most offenders were caught at the Riverland checkpoint at Yamba, on the Sturt Highway 26km east of Renmark, followed by the South East checkpoint at Bordertown, on the Dukes Highway 18km from the Victorian border.

Tourism Industry Council South Australia, chief executive officer Shaun de Bruyn, said education was important as well as visitors adhering to laws to protect agricultural products.

“We fully support this work and encourage the government to also invest in education programs that provide visitors with information on what regulations we have in place,” he said.

Citrus SA chairman, Waikerie producer Mark Doecke, said he had no sympathy for those who breached the “absolutely necessary” crackdown.

“If you don’t want to get fined, don’t bring in the fruit,” he said.

Opposition spokeswoman, Upper House MP Nicola Centofanti, who sought the data in parliament, said fruit fly had devastating consequences.

“It’s disappointing – despite decades of bans and education – that people are still willing to risk livelihoods to bring a piece of fruit across the border,” she said.

“Those who have been caught need to learn their lesson and unfortunately penalties are needed for this message to sink in.

“The fight to eradicate this (fruit fly) pest is one we cannot afford to lose.”

Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven with Australia's first fruit fly detector dogs Max and Rylee and handlers Gemma Wood and Danny Wood. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

Liberal Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Nicola Centofanti. Picture Emma Brasier

Primary Industries Clare Scriven Minister said increased surveillance, well-developed detection systems and co-operation from residents checking and reporting suspicious fruit was helping in the fight.

New fruit fly baits and doubling the number of flies being dropped on the area to 40 million per week also combat the pest while growers are encouraged to extensively prune trees.

She had no plans to review the “important” zero-tolerance policy.

“Under the policy, people have the right to contest the fine if they choose to and that right is respected,” she said.