SASANELLI, MR N.

In reply to Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite) (10 November 2010).

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Treasurer, Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education): The Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology has provided support to Mr Sasanelli's efforts by attending and presenting at conferences and workshops with visiting international delegations.

Bio Innovation SA (BioSA) has had several contacts with Adjunct Professor Nicola Sasanelli. In particular, BioSA provided a presentation on biotechnology in South Australia to a visiting delegation from Campagnia in September 2009. Also in September 2009, BioSA provided a similar presentation for Adjunct Professor Sasanelli for his use in showcasing South Australia's biotechnology capabilities during his visit to the San Rafaelle Institute in Milan, one of Europe's largest science parks in biomedical and biotechnology research.

I am advised that establishing relationships with the Puglia region has been beneficial to the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG) which received an amount of funding, $60,000 from the Department of Premier and Cabinet for this purpose.

I am advised by my Chief Executive that there is a strong synergy between the research efforts of Puglia and South Australia as the Puglia region is the largest producer of durum wheat (used for pasta production) in Europe. Australia predominantly grows bread wheat but is hoping to increase durum production. There are significant differences between the Australian and Italian wheats in their tolerance to drought, heat and Fusarium, a fungal disease.

I am advised that the collaboration with Puglia was expanded to include researchers in Regione Emilia Romagna (University of Bologna) and Italy's largest durum wheat breeding company. This has enabled the ACPFG to access a durum wheat collection, which has been imported into Australia, in order to analyse its characteristics.

The cooperation has been expanded and is now part of a large European Union Framework VII Program, the 'DROPS program' with funding of over Euro 5 million. The DROPS program is investigating drought tolerance in cereals and ACPFG is a major partner with access to the program resources and outcomes.

In addition, the Department acquired 25 copies of Professor Sasanelli's book on science and art to use as gifts for visiting delegations. The total cost was $528 with funds going to Australian Italian Scholarships Fund not to Professor Sasanelli direct.