Country Cabinet

Mr HUGHES (Giles) (14:21): My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier inform the house about how country cabinet allows the government to better understand issues facing those of us in the state's regions?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:21): The country cabinet initiative, which was rightfully put back—

Mr GARDNER: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: Point of order.

Mr GARDNER: Standing order 97: I think that question contained argument that the government might better understand matters.

The SPEAKER: No, I do not uphold the point of order.

Mr Whetstone: 'It might.'

The SPEAKER: Contingent—it might.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: The country cabinet initiative, which was rightfully put back on the agenda by the Minister for Regional Development, has, I think, been a very beneficial addition to the way in which this government has gone about its business during the course of this year. We have had three country cabinets now: in the Riverland, Adelaide Hills and the West Coast, and I am pleased to say that we will be holding a further nine in the next three years.

This process is much more than hosting a cabinet meeting away from Adelaide; it's about meeting people, talking to businesses—

Ms Redmond interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Heysen is called to order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —listening to their concerns and trying to find solutions that work for local communities. Solutions like relocation of the Berri Bowling Club which saw the government agree to the sale of crown land to the local council—an issue that had been unresolved for some time; or the renewing of the Riverland pilot in Renmark—an initiative that will activate business networks and create employment in the region, which can be replicated across other regional areas. It is also about my cabinet coming away with a greater understanding of the issues facing regional communities.

Two important events on the country cabinet schedule are the community barbecue and forum and the community and business leaders' luncheon. More than 1,200 people have attended these events this year. At the community barbecue and forum, locals get the opportunity to share a sausage with a cabinet minister—that's a rare treat—or an oyster, if you happen to be on the West Coast.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: No, in these straitened times, it's just one sausage. We cut it in two! Can I say the highlight is the cabinet Q&A session where all the cabinet ministers line up, and often there will be a local member of parliament there—except, of course, in the Adelaide Hills where we didn't, in fact, have the actual member for Kavel; we just had his image looking down on us.

An honourable member: A very young-looking one.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: That's right.

An honourable member: Looking beautiful.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: He did.

An honourable member: An omnipresence.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: The omnipresent—the eyes of Dr Eckleburg looking down on us as we were carrying out our work. Cabinet also visits businesses in the regions. Of course, in the Adelaide Hills I met with Hills Cider and the Ceravolo family—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Ceravolo? They produce very good cider. In Streaky Bay, along with minister Close, I met with Renae and Sophia Edmunds from Streaky Bay Marine Products, and they have a great story about exporting to the Chinese market. We are also, where we can, collecting and resolving issues as we go, but we commit to get back to them within 90 days. There will be a report released in the next fortnight for the Adelaide Hills, and we have already released our Renmark report.

We also provide grants of $50,000 per community through the Fund My Idea program, and almost 6,000 people voted for their favourite submissions in the Adelaide Hills alone. Today, I can announce that two Adelaide Hills organisations will share the $50,000 grant. The Rockit Performing Arts Group will receive a $31,000 grant to install a sprung floor in the centre and purchase a selection of therapy equipment for special needs children.

The second grant of almost $19,000 goes to extend the Fox Creek Mountain Bike Trail and allow for the construction of an intermediate course—two great initiatives, submitted by locals and voted on by more than 6,000 people. I also understand that the Minister for Regional Development will soon be travelling back to the Riverland to launch one of the successful Fund My Idea programs at St Joseph's School.

The country cabinet initiative is here to stay. We look forward to the 2015 agenda. I know expressions of interest have already been put in by the member for Mount Gambier, and the member for Stuart on behalf of Peterborough, and we are certainly very keen to travel to those regions.

The SPEAKER: Alas, the Premier's time has expired. The leader.