Liberal MP reads heartbreaking story of drought and the death of a much loved SA agronomist Craig Hole

Nicola Centofanti has read a heartbreaking letter in parliament telling of the devastating personal toll the SA drought is taking on our farmers.

A heartbreaking letter is striking a chord with South Australians after it told of “one of Australia’s finest agronomists” recently dying of suicide as the heavy toll of drought wreaks havoc with country families’ lives.

Opposition primary industries spokeswoman Nicola Centofanti told state parliament this week that “the drought continues, relentless and unforgiving. And the so-called “relief” remains tied up in bureaucracy, red tape, and photo ops.”

Now the state’s south east farming community was struggling with the news of farmer and Naracoorte agronomist Craig Hole’s death.

South-East Liberal MP Ben Hood described Mr Hole as “one of the most well-respected men, both professionally and personally, I’ve ever known”.

“His passing has left a huge gap in the south east community,” he said. Mr Hole had two children.

Ms Centofanti read a letter in parliament addressed to Premier Peter Malinauskas from accountant and farmer Abby Miller as “it speaks to the heart of what regional South Australians are experiencing”.

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

“This week, we lost a dear friend to suicide. He wasn’t just a farmer, he was one of Australia’s finest agronomists. He had off-farm income, yes, but that didn’t shield him from the weight of farming life. It’s a pressure that’s invisible to most, but unbearable for many,” Ms Centonfanti read, with Ms Miller’s permission.

“My husband and I have off-farm income too. But we are not hobby farmers.

We run 2,000 sheep and 200 cattle. That income doesn’t make things easier, it simply allows us to put food on the table, send our kids on school excursions, and give them the chance to represent their region at SAPSASA.

Craig Hole. Picture: Linkedin

“It lets us stay involved in our football, netball, soccer, and hockey communities — the lifeblood of our town. Communities where support extends far beyond the field — where we check in, show up, and hold one another up when things fall apart.”

The letter told of Ms Miller’s experience as an accountant where “I see the cost of this drought up close”.

“My days are spent less on numbers and more on people. Clients walk through my door not to finalise their tax returns, but because they need a safe space to cry, to exhale, to be heard,” she said.

Ms Miller said accountants needed to meet Australian Taxation Office rules to keep tax agent registrations but struggled as they spent hours helping others “hold themselves together – emotionally, mentally, financially”.

“And still, South Australia hasn’t been officially declared in drought. So we can’t even request an extension. The ATO won’t recognise the crisis we are in. It didn’t even allow a deferral for an accountant who had just been diagnosed with cancer.”

Ms Centofanti called for more immediate help for farmers as footable of her letter reading attracted thousands of views.

Grain Producers SA chief Brad Perry said the recent death of Mr Hole was hitting the south east community hard as the mental health of farmers was increasingly impacted by the worst drought in living memory.

If you or someone you know needs assistance:

Lifeline on 13 11 14 or https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 or at www.beyondblue.org.au

Originally published as Liberal MP reads heartbreaking story of drought and the death of a much loved SA agronomist Craig Hole