WORLD AQUACULTURAL SYMPOSIUM

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (14:59): Will the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries highlight the benefits of the next World Aquacultural Symposium that will be held in South Australia in 2014 and how the government will engage in the development of this?

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN (Napier—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Northern Suburbs) (15:00): I thank the member for Taylor for her question. The World Aquaculture Symposium is the premier international aquaculture industry event, bringing together research industry know-how and the latest technological advances. This event will help create tomorrow's industry successes, and would be of interest to a number of members sitting on that side of the house—and one new member in particular.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN: As members would be aware, South Australia is home to Australia's most diverse range of aquaculture sectors, with a world-class reputation for quality seafood and environmental sustainability. In 2007-08 South Australian aquaculture accounted for 30 per cent of the gross value of Australia's aquaculture production—and, given that our state accounts for only about eight per cent of Australia's population, we have pretty well quadrupled what might be our contribution. All credit to the operators, particularly those on Eyre Peninsula, for getting into international markets, because we are doing extremely well both domestically and internationally.

South Australia's position as Australia's leading producer of aquaculture products, and its approach to planning and management, has been recognised internationally by the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations as a case study for international aquaculture management. So we have UN recognition for what we are doing around the state. South Australia is also the only state in Australia, and one of only a few areas in the world, with dedicated aquaculture management legislation.

Mr Pisoni: And the world's best minister!

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN: I knew it wouldn't take long, David; thank you. I would be most grateful if Hansard could pick up that comment. As such, the South Australian agriculture industry is a role model for economic and environmental sustainability.

I am very pleased to inform the house that the Rann Labor government has committed $230,000 to secure the rights to host the World Aquaculture Symposium which will take place over four days between May and August in 2014. The spin-offs from this particular event run to about 3,000 delegates and the opportunity to showcase South Australia with pre and post touring potential to Eyre Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and inland South Australia—and I would like to get the respective members involved when we visit their electorates—which, hopefully, will generate in excess of 14,500 CBD bed nights, 2,000-plus exhibitors, and international recognition for South Australian aquaculture, our legislative regime and our R&D effort.

It is forecast that the economic impact to South Australia will be in excess of $11.5 million. I believe this will be a great event for the state, hopefully with some rub-off for Whyalla as well, and I will be further briefing members on both sides of the house in order to gain maximum impact.