Farmers named Peter call on Premier Peter Malinauskas to provide more drought relief

As a record-breaking drought cripples our regions, farmers called Peter have called on another bloke called Peter (who runs the state) to take action and help.

The Peters of the bush are hurting. They’re in the midst of a record-breaking drought and they’re frustrated.

They’re worried that another bloke called Peter who works on North Terrace isn’t taking their plight seriously enough. And they want that to change.

Today The Advertiser launches For Pete’s Sake, a campaign aimed at raising awareness of one of the harshest droughts in SA history, and urging Premier Peter Malinauskas to take action.

Over the next nine days, we’ll tell the stories of nine Peters from across the state who have devoted their lives to working the land and have been hit hard by the drought.

We’ll hear from farmers including Peter Stockman, 49 of Burra, who is at least $1m out of pocket, who has urged the Premier to get out into the regions to see how farmers, and regional communities, are struggling.

Peter McCallum at his farm in Booleroo Centre. Picture: Ben Clark

Peter Kemp, 77 of Roseworthy, says many farmers “are on death row” and Peter Wilson, 54 of the Yorke Peninsula, has halved the size of his cattle herd in the past six months.

Peter Whitford, 91, has been a dairy farmer on the Fleurieu Peninsula for more than 70 years and says this is the worst drought he’s ever seen and Birdwood farm manager Peter Williams, 68, says the government’s drought response will determine his vote at the next election.

Baroota grain and sheep producer Peter Dennis, 80, says he is worried about the future, Peter Manuel, 67 of Strathalbyn, says governments need to act quicker and Peter Woolford, 61 of Buckleboo, says water infrastructure across the state must improve.

Primary Producers SA chairman Simon Maddocks said people wanted to see Mr Malinauskas take charge of the government’s drought response.

“People just want to know that people (in power) accept that we are in drought,” he said.

“Mr Malinauskas hasn’t been the face of it (the government’s response) and I think that would mean a lot to people.

“He’s been the face of Whyalla engagement, for example, and we all understand why that’s so important. But it would mean a lot to have Mali coming out and saying that we appreciate this is an issue given the significance of these industries for the state economy.”

Primary Producers SA chairman Simon Maddocks: Picture: Supplied

Mr Maddocks urged Mr Malinauskas to increase the $18m drought support package it announced in November, in particular to provide more money for mental health services and transport costs for donated hay.

He also urged the government to find a way to encourage metropolitan residents to visit drought-affected regional towns and to inject cash into the small businesses struggling because farmers had closed their cheque books.

“This is not just a farming issue and it’s not just a rural issue,” Mr Maddocks said. “This is a whole-of-South Australia issue. And we need other ways to show that the whole of the state is behind our producers.”

Mr Malinauskas said the government was “actively preparing” for additional support and would continue to engage with farmers and community organisations.

He said he met with cattle, dairy and grain farmers in the South East in October and on Wednesday chaired an emergency management cabinet committee to discuss next steps around the drought and water security.

Premier Peter Malinauskas. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“We are acutely aware the drought has not broken, and that many parts of the state are seeing the driest conditions on record,” he said.

Booleroo Centre farmer Peter McCallum, 66, said the government had been too slow to recognise much of the state was in drought.

“I know a politician can’t do much about the rain but most farmers just wanted the acknowledgement... that we are in a drought,” he said.

“Look at Whyalla, and how much money we are putting into that. Will that pay off?

“One thing with farming is that you know farming will be sustainable. In a good year, farming contributes a considerable amount of wealth.

“Things will turn around, and Mr Malinauskas needs to be willing to give the farmers a bit of a hand to keep them going in the long run.”

Mr McCullum said last year was the first time since 1948, when his father started farming the land near Mr Remarkable that the property had not produced a crop.

Peter McCallum at his farm in Booleroo Centre. Picture: Ben Clark

He received 6mm of rain on Thursday – more than double the cumulative amount the previous 77 days of 2025 had delivered. It was just enough to settle the dust and put some water in the tanks but was a long way from being a drought-breaker.

“If you consider the Sahara Desert, without the palm trees, that’s what my place has looked like,” he said.

“You’d see the vehicles going along the dusty road and it would just be a cloud of dust just hanging there and the same when the sheep come in to water or feed.”

Mr McCallum has reduced his sheep numbers by 40 per cent over the past 12 months because of a lack of feed and water and, for the first time, decided against insuring his flock against fires as a cost-saving measure.

He said farmers’ mental health was an ongoing concern, despite numerous events run by farming bodies and councils aimed at helping people deal with the emotional and financial turmoil that comes with drought.

Originally published as Farmers named Peter call on Premier Peter Malinauskas to provide more drought relief