House of Assembly: Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Contents

WORLD FOOD EXCHANGE

Mr PENGILLY (Finniss) (15:10): My question is for the Minister for Tourism. Can the minister advise what happened to the World Food Exchange, a week-long event to be held at the Convention Centre this month? On 26 July last year, the minister told this house:

In addition to promoting South Australia, the World Food Exchange will be promoting the concept of ecologically sustainable produce and, increasingly, consumers around the world expect their food to be sustainable, not only in the way it is produced but also in the way it is marketed and the logistics involved in getting it to the table.

The event was listed on the SA Tourism events calendar as being held over a week in June 2008 at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Convention Centre staff have told the opposition that the booking was cancelled and moved to the Hilton. The South Australian tourism calendar now lists the event as being held for five days from 22 September to 26 September, but the Hilton Hotel staff have told us that the event booking has been cancelled although they still hold a booking for lunch. Who is the minister taking to lunch?

An honourable member: That's one long lunch.

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH (Adelaide—Minister for Education and Children's Services, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (15:12): I am very happy to explain to the member: as he stated in his explanation, the dates were changed.