Regional Tourism

Ms COOK (Fisher) (15:04): My question is to the Minister for Tourism. How are events assisting in boosting tourism numbers in the regions?

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) (15:04): I thank the member for Fisher for the question. Regional events are vitally important to country towns and cities right around South Australia. They give the community a sense of coming together to put on a fantastic show but, just as importantly, they bring people into the regions to spend money from outside the region and encourage jobs growth and economic activity. This is why the government provides financial and marketing support through the Regional Events and Festivals Program to tourism events that generate an increase in visitation.

The state government has allocated $404,000 in sponsorship to 39 events during 2017-18 for 10 sponsorships under the Community Events Development Fund and 29 sponsorships under the Regional Events and Festivals Program. Some of the events are continuing sponsorships through multiple year agreements initiated in 2015-16 or 2016-17. I will give details of some of the events receiving state government funding for the first time. A Day on the Bay at Coffin Bay will be receiving $5,000 for that event in September this year. The Robe Home Brew and Craft Beer Festival, at Robe, will receive $4,000, and that will be held in October this year.

Red Poles and Spinning Yarn at McLaren Vale will receive $5,000 for the 2017-18 year. One event that I know will be of interest to the member for Mount Gambier—and our very good friends down there the Gazzards—is the Australian Sprint Car Championship at Mount Gambier. They will receive $10,000 for their event in January next year. I want to thank Peter Gazzard and everyone who has worked so hard to get this nationally significant event to Mount Gambier. It is going to be a huge drawcard and a great time of year to be in the Mount.

The Keith Dirt and Diesel Derby in March next year will receive $5,000 and the Clare Classic, of which the member for Frome is a big supporter, will receive $10,000. The Silver Raven Festival in the Barossa will receive $10,000 for April next year. The Hubert 100 Ikara-Flinders Ranges in May next year will receive $5,000. Regarding the 18 Hours Melrose and the Melrose Fat Tyre Festival, I know the member for Stuart is a huge advocate for this wonderful event. He will be pleased to hear that there is a $10,000 plus $10,000 contribution there.

The member for Waite is a huge fan of the Bay to Birdwood which is being held on 24 September this year, and no doubt he will be out there again. That event will receive $15,000. The Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations will receive $15,000. In the past, the member for Mount Gambier and I have had a cabernet at this wonderful festival. The Handpicked Festival, supporting live music and premium food and wine on the Fleurieu, will receive $10,000.

Mr Duluk interjecting:

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: The member for Morphett, I see you at the Bay Sheffield each year—

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

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: There will be $20,000 for the Bay Sheffield, which is a terrific event. The Crash Festival and Winter Reds in the Adelaide Hills will receive $15,000 plus $15,000 next January and July respectively. The member for Flinders is a huge champion of the Tunarama. He has been to see me several times about helping out the Tunarama, and he was there volunteering this year during the tuna toss along with the Prime Minister of Australia, who turned up as well. It was great to see such big numbers. There is $25,000 for the Tunarama and let's hope that the tuna barons put some money in there as well. It will be great to see some local support. The Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend will receive $18,000 and the Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival will receive $15,000. Of course, we just had the successful edition of that last week—

Ms CHAPMAN: Time, sir.

The SPEAKER: I am aware of the time and I don't need the deputy leader to assist me.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: The Beer and BBQ Festival is a fantastic festival of South Australia.

The SPEAKER: The minister's time has, alas, expired.