Economic Stimulus Package

Mr BASHAM (Finniss) (14:44): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister update the house on how the Marshall Liberal government is boosting the regional economy through targeted stimulus measures?

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE (Chaffey—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (14:44): Well, I can, and I thank the member for Finniss for his important question. He knows only too well the importance of the regional economies, particularly going through a very uncertain time. As I said yesterday, the government is fast-forwarding a number of initiatives and stimuli, and none more important than the Regional Growth Fund, which has been brought forward. I can say that round 3 has received overwhelming response. It closed on Monday the 11^th (this week) with 33 applications. So it is oversubscribed, seeking over $19 million in funding for projects.

This is a brilliant result in the current economic circumstances because we know that these businesses are prepared and that they can come back stronger than before the COVID-19 crisis. What I would say is that it highlights the importance of our regional economy, and we have recognised the importance of the stimulus needed. What I can also say is that it also demonstrates to those businesses that they have the government's support in coming forward with those stimulus measures.

It is very, very important now that any of those regional businesses that are looking to engage with government or taxpayers' funds and support should do that and come forward as part of the process. Currently, the $5 million is a competitive round, and that has to be matched with funding. We also have the $10 million of the strategic round that can be used to leverage funds of larger proportion.

We have seen significant projects. In round 1 we saw nine very successful projects get up, and in round 2 we have seen 10, and those projects have highlighted the importance of businesses coming together, collaborating. I call it the three Cs: collaboration, clustering and community benefit. What it has done now is brought those regional businesses, regional centres, to work closer together so that they can work as a cluster or as a collaboration, and it has never been more important that they come together to do that. Previously, we saw the former government picking winners, and in small regional communities and towns there is nothing more divisive than ‘some get it, some don't’ for very, very good reasons.

The SPEAKER: Minister, would you be seated for one moment. There is a point of order, probably for debate?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: That is debate, sir.

The SPEAKER: Whilst I have allowed some compare and contrast to a point, I would expect it not to go too far. The minister has the call. I will be listening.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: Thank you, sir. It really does just highlight the importance of what the regional economy means to the South Australian economy overall. I would also say that we have rolled out the South Australian Wine Industry Development Scheme, and 27 applications have been received for a benefit of $8.5 million of value to those proposed projects. That really does just highlight that it is a $1.8 million investment by the government to an industry that is of paramount importance.

What I can say is that the state government has rolled out many initiatives for the regional South Australian economy, and the regions of South Australia have not had the support in nearly two decades. It is important to understand that $150 million of the Regional Growth Fund, again with the competitive rounds and the strategic rounds, is continuing to roll out, having now been fast-tracked.

Also, there is $21 million of drought support, which is critically important for the longevity of our dryland sector, particularly going through extended drought. We have the $24.5 million of support to the commercial marine scalefish reform sector, which is critically important in making sure that they come on board and be part of an economy and not of a retracting industry—as well as the $16.57 million bushfire recovery support. These are measures that have been put in place to support regional South Australia. They are working. The regions of South Australia matter.