Hotel Industry

Mr TEAGUE (Heysen) (14:18): Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Heysen has the call.

Mr TEAGUE: My question is to the Attorney-General. Can the Attorney-General inform the house on recent achievements in the hotel industry and the particular role of the hotel industry in growing SA jobs?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (14:18): I am happy to do so, and I thank the member for Heysen for the question, particularly as he has now taken a slice of Bragg into the seat of Heysen, and some good news comes with that.

Last week, the Australian Hotels Association of South Australia hosted their annual awards at the Entertainment Centre. Our Premier and the Minister for Tourism attended to represent the government at these important awards, which some 800 guests attended. It was a great night, and if any of those from the opposition were there I commend their attendance as well.

The member for Heysen must be excited, having celebrated the recognition of Crafers Hotel—formerly in Bragg—for being best overall hotel in the state. It took five awards all-up for its accommodation, bistro dining, redevelopment and apprentice training. On the night, the judges said that since the hotel changed hands in 2014 the Crafers Hotel had been transformed into 'a French inspired, uniquely stylish gastropub'—sounds very Bragg, doesn't it?—which offers 'delicious food, exceptional wines and well-priced accommodation'.

It is a huge achievement for Ed and Julie Peter, with shareholders Brett Matthews and Jodi Brumby, who should be proud of the contribution they make to South Australia and our local communities. Currently, our South Australian hotels in this industry employ roughly 26,500 people and the flow-on effects of the successful hospitality businesses can be felt in our local communities and beyond. The importance of pubs and hotels in our communities is immense, assisting those who work there, local community clubs, sporting clubs and residents.

Other winners on the night include the Uraidla Hotel (also formerly in Bragg), the Port Admiral Hotel, the Cathedral, Sevenhill, Playford, Mount Lofty House, the Feathers—both still thankfully in Bragg—Sporties, Warradale, the Vine Inn, Largs Pier, the Port Lincoln Hotel, the Lion and many more. For all members who represent areas in which these hotels have been acknowledged and service their community, I am sure that they should also feel immensely proud and pass on their congratulations.

As the minister responsible for consumer and business services, I note that the work the AHA and hotels more broadly do is excellent. Notably, the contribution of some $161 million in capital investment in our regional areas in the last five years has been referred to, and $4.025 million in South Australia's gross state product.

I would like to thank all owners, managers and employees of the South Australian pubs and hotels for their ongoing work. I look forward to visiting many of these great venues that have won awards at this year's award. I will be drinking soda water, I think, given the Premier's new edict about alcohol. I wish them the very best in the upcoming—

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner: No interest in malbec?

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —national awards in the Gold Coast later this year.

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Education is warned, as is the member for West Torrens. The member for Reynell.