Lincoln Marine Science Centre

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (14:59): My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. How is the state government furthering marine science research?

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Recreation and Sport, Minister for Racing) (14:59): I thank the member for Reynell for the question. Of course, it is widely known that SARDI Aquatic Sciences is a world leader in research and scientific innovation, helping to deliver sustainable growth in our aquaculture industries and protection for fisheries and their environments. Staff are located across the state at West Beach, Port Lincoln, Mount Gambier and the University of Adelaide's Roseworthy campus.

I was at Roseworthy last week and saw one of the projects they are working on, conducting nation-leading research into the toxins that get into the livers of lobster to make sure there is no potential danger for human consumption. Here in Australia, there is not a lot of consumption of the liver—which is the mustard bit up near the head, when you rip it all out—but in some other cultures where we export our lobster, there is a high consumption of the liver, which is used as a dipping sauce. We just want to make sure that it is all safe.

The good news over in Port Lincoln is that the state government has been presented with an excellent opportunity to take over the Lincoln Marine Science Centre from the current owner, Flinders University. The centre was established in 1995 by Flinders as a regional multipurpose facility for teaching, community education and research. It was built on crown land with Flinders University as custodian, with the land dedicated for scientific research and education purposes. It was developed as a focal point for teaching, temperate climate biology and aquaculture. It is also being used by SARDI and PIRSA under licence agreement, by TAFE and also by Clean Seas as a private lessee.

Due to the number of staff at Flinders University reducing in recent years and a change in research and teaching priorities, the university approached the state government proposing to transfer the facility to PIRSA for no financial consideration. Negotiations have been successful and this transfer will occur in the near future. This provides government with an opportunity to use the centre not only for research but also for government office accommodation.

PIRSA will be able to relocate staff from two other locations in Port Lincoln and local DPTI staff will also transfer to the building. Flinders University will retain staff there and Clean Seas will also continue to sublease space to further their joint research projects with the university. The centre will be a valuable asset for the state government and South Australia. It contains state-of-the-art laboratories, freezers, aquariums, meeting and lecture rooms, office accommodation, equipment space and a reception area.

The centre will continue to provide a strong base for SARDI to undertake marine research to inform fisheries management, particularly for the state's valuable rock lobster and abalone fisheries. It will also provide a venue for ongoing industry and research collaboration for SARDI's more recent activities in the large-scale Great Australian Bight research program and the department of agriculture's yellowtail kingfish aquaculture project.

Biosecurity SA will continue to operate there, while the consolidation of other PIRSA activities will see soil and plant research also now occurring at the centre. There is a strong community expectation that the Lincoln Marine Science Centre will remain open and be used for research and teaching purposes to support the commercial fishing sector.