Wine Industry Grants

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland) (15:24): My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Yes, they have been doing it all day, member for Newland.

The Hon. T.R. KENYON: Sir, they have. My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. Minister, how is the state government assisting wineries to create vibrant cellar door experiences?

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) (15:24): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Mr Pengilly: Donald Trump.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: I've got less hair. I thank the member for Newland for the question and acknowledge his attendance in the Riverland a few weeks ago at the Twenty Third Street Distillery opening. The member for Chaffey was also there. It was a wonderful occasion to see the old Renmano site coming back to life thanks to Angelo Kotses and his company, Bickford's, who have breathed new life into it.

Then on the way back we called in to St Hugo and saw the member for Schubert, the Premier and the Minister for Regional Development. In fact, you chipped in some money there so that their cellar door and restaurant could be opened. It was a fantastic day. But I am pleased to announce today a new funding scheme for the wine industry in South Australia of $1.8 million. I wanted to update the house on—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: The member for Schubert, who doesn't ask any questions about his electorate in here, about the wine industry, about the tourism industry, just comes up with the interjections—

An honourable member: Google boy.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: —and the Google. He is the Google boy. What's that website he likes?

The Hon. J.J. Snelling: Ashley—

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Ashley and Martin or something.

The Hon. J.M. Rankine interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Point of order. The member for Wright is called to order.

Mr GARDNER: The minister is undermining your authority by not complying with your instruction to use members' electorates.

The SPEAKER: No, I don't think so. The minister.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: We asked the wine industry—we had some representatives from some of the bigger companies and some of the smaller companies from many of the different 18 wine regions that we have around the state—to come together—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Wright is warned.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: It's the member for Schubert I can't hear myself think over him, Mr Speaker, and it would be great to get some extra time on the clock. He just keeps interrupting.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Davenport is called to order and the member for Schubert is warned for the second and final time.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Thank you, sir. I am not sure whether we can get some more time on the clock for all those interjections because it's pretty hard to talk with such a rude bunch of people opposite me, and I will put it on the record again the member for Schubert's rude behaviour in this place. I don't know what he tells the people in his electorate, but he comes in here and he is just rude.

The Hon. J.M. Rankine interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Wright is warned for the second and final time.

Mr Knoll interjecting:

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Why don't you come and ask a question? Ask a question in here. You have never asked a question in here. What we have is a cellar-door grants program worth a million dollars, which will assist wineries to upgrade and diversify their cellar-door experiences, adding economic benefit to the region. We have the regional Wine Industry Association grants program, which is worth $600,000, and all 18 wine regions are able to apply for funding out of this program. The program will help to develop regional wine tourism and visitor experiences.

Grants of up to $50,000 are available to regional wine and grape associations, and associations will need to match that with dollar for dollar funding. The feedback we have from the wine industry has been very, very positive and they are pleased with the work that the government—

Mr Knoll interjecting:

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: I really should get extra time. This industry is worth $18.2 billion a year and all these guys want to do is interrupt.

The SPEAKER: Grievances time on can be granted. Unfortunately, the sessional orders don't contemplate time on, so the member for Schubert's obstruction of your answer has been successful.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Well, I will be writing to the members of his wine industry in the Barossa Valley and letting them know about this program and about—

The SPEAKER: Supplementary, the member for Newland.