House of Assembly Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3) 51 3 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Premier's Food Awards PREMIER'S FOOD AWARDS Ms SIMMONS House of Assembly Morialta PREMIER'S FOOD AWARDS Ms SIMMONS (Morialta) (14:18): Will the Premier inform the house of the 2008 Premier's Food Awards? The Hon. M.D. RANN House of Assembly Ramsay Premier Minister for Economic Development Minister for Social Inclusion Minister for the Arts Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change PREMIER'S FOOD AWARDS The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:18): This is one of the great nights out— The Hon. R.J. McEwen House of Assembly The Hon. R.J. McEwen: You wouldn't go home last year. The Hon. M.D. RANN House of Assembly The Hon. M.D. RANN: That's funny. I am told that I would not go home last year. I must say, there was one year when some extremely unusual people appeared on stilts to welcome me, but we will not go into that. I am delighted to inform members of the house that the 11^th Premier's Food Awards will take place at the new Goyder Pavilion at the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds on Friday 14 November 2008. Before the opposition jumps up and says, 'Why has he badged this the Premier's Food Awards'— The Hon. K.O. Foley House of Assembly The Hon. K.O. Foley: Why have you? The Hon. M.D. RANN House of Assembly The Hon. M.D. RANN: It was done by the previous government. Again, as you know, I abide by tradition. My relationship with the food industry is well established. Apart from previously chairing the state's Food Council, I also eat a lot. The prestigious annual food event recognises outstanding achievement in the South Australian food industry and is delivered through a partnership between industry and government. From memory, the minister who started this was, until last night, the member for Frome. I want to recognise that. The awards finalists, who have demonstrated a level of excellence in their individual fields and who have made an enormous contribution to the state's food industry, will be announced at the green-themed gala dinner, and that is not like St Patrick's Day green which seems to have a big impact on members of the front bench, but we will go into that another day. The finalists come from every corner of the state, including the city, Adelaide Hills, Limestone Coast, Eyre Peninsula and the Riverland. Three nominations have been received for this year's KPMG Young Leader Award: Carly Cannon, technical services manager for SAFCOL; Sam Tucker, director of Tucker's Natural; and Dr George Ujvary, managing director of Olga's Fine Foods. There have been two nominations for the Food and Beverage Development Fund Workforce Award: Barossa Fine Foods and B.-d Farm Paris Creek. Three nominations have been received for the Peats Soil and Garden Supplies Environmental Sustainability Award: Agri Exchange, AqaOyster and B.-d Farm Paris Creek. There are four nominations for this year's NAB Export Award: Almondco, AqaOyster, Beerenberg and Mayura Station. Either Fruit Wise, Mayura Station or Robern Menz will receive this year's SARDI Innovation Award. Three companies are vying for the San Remo New Product Award: Humbugz Honey, Pendleton Estate and Robern Menz. The Rural Solutions SA Services to Industry Award is fiercely contested this year by the Adelaide Showground Farmers Market; SA Freight Council, great friends of mine; and the Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen's Association. There are two Food Adelaide Value Adding Awards. One award is provided to businesses employing fewer than 15 FTEs. The nominees for this award are Bushmin Farmed Rabbits, Careme Traditional Pastry and Tutto Pasta. For those businesses employing more than 15 FTEs, the nominees are Almondco, Meatpak, Mitani and Richard Gunner's Fine Meats. Another exciting aspect of the night will be the announcement of this year's inductee into the Hall of Fame, proudly sponsored by Coopers. This year our agri-food industry contributed about $11.5 billion to the South Australian economy and accounted for around 145,000 jobs. In addition to our reputation for producing distinctive, world-class foods, South Australia is now becoming increasingly known for its environmentally sustainable or 'green' cuisine. There is a lot more to be said, but I am aware that time is passing. I look forward to joining other members on this night of nights for the food industry.