Research and Development Corporations

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) (14:49): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Today I welcome the federal government's decision to relocate offices of two of the nation's leading research centres to Adelaide. The Grains Research and Development Corporation and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation will now both have a base here in South Australia. These relocations add another pillar to the state government's economic priority of premium food and wine from our clean environment exported to the world, and the centres will be an excellent fit for South Australia.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation is one of the world's leading grains research organisations responsible for planning, investing in and overseeing research and development in production, sustainability and profitability. The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation is the national fisheries and aquaculture research funding body.

During the past year I have spoken about the relocation with federal Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, and Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, and I congratulate them on this decision. They agreed there were huge economic, educational and employment benefits to relocating offices to South Australia. Adelaide's central location make it an ideal hub for all Australian states and territories and will make it easier for people in both sectors to access the national research bodies.

Both GRDC and FRDC will be located at the National Wine Centre on Hackney Road where Wine Australia has been leading the national approach to wine for several years. The GRDC will bring four to six positions to South Australia. They will also establish three other offices outside of Canberra in Dubbo, Toowoomba and Perth. The intent is to have 50 per cent of staff work from regional offices within two years.

Establishing the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation office in South Australia will provide a significant boost for the reputation and future development of the South Australian seafood industry. The FRDC also intends to have four to six positions in Adelaide. Today's announcement further cements our national and international reputation as the nation's leader in fisheries and aquaculture management and research.