Wine Industry Funding

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson) (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. What is happening to the $1.6 million annual funding for the wine sector to assist wineries to build or improve their cellar doors and to help our wine regions improve their regional offerings as well?

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE (Chaffey—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (14:46): I thank the member for his question. Yes, of course as he well knows, and as we all know as South Australians, the wine sector is probably one of the largest growth sectors here in South Australia. It's really important to note that there are a number of funds that were implemented by the previous government into the wine sector, and the $1.6 million—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Members on my right will cease interjecting.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: —that was put into the cellar-door fund will continue. That has already had effect. It is supporting the wine sector and the cellar doors, and we will continue to support the wine industry. What I can tell the member is that, as he well knows and as I well know, living in a wine region with cellar doors as the entrance to their businesses, it is critically important that when government is allocating money to the wine sector through the cellar-door program that it is allocated with specific means.

It is also important to note that the wine sector will continue to receive above the $1.6 million funding through our Regional Growth Fund, as well as other measures that could possibly be in today's budget.