Genetically Modified Crops

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson) (14:58): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Why does the minister believe that losing $5.1 million per annum in export value and potentially up to $20.1 million per annum in crop value—

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order, sir.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: —should GM crops be grown in the McLaren Vale region—

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Mawson will resume his seat. The Minister for Energy and Mining on a point of order.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: The member is offending standing order 97 by introducing argument into his question and implying a way of thinking or belief on behalf of the minister before he is even halfway through asking his question.

The SPEAKER: I have the point of order. The member for Mawson appears to be introducing fact. He might seek to rephrase and/or seek leave again, to do so—

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: I am about to seek leave, if I can just finish the last six or seven words.

The SPEAKER: The member for Mawson might seek leave, if he wishes to introduce facts.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: I wish to seek your leave and that of the house to explain my question.

Leave granted.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: In a submission to the minister, members of the McLaren Vale—

Mr Knoll interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Schubert!

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: —Grape Wine and Tourism Association stated that the McLaren Vale region risks losing at least $5.1 million per annum in export value and potentially up to $20.1 million per annum in crop value should GM crops be grown in our world-renowned McLaren Vale region, yet the minister stated in his media release, dated 2 November 2020, that there was no substantial evidence to justify any council area remaining GM free.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member Schubert is called to order. The minister has call.

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM (Finniss—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (15:00): I thank the member for his question. It's a very interesting thing to look at in this regard: the rest of mainland Australia has allowed GM crops to be grown and there are still particular businesses around Australia that are actually able to maintain their GM freedom if they choose to. It's very much up to the individual choice of a particular business. We actually see businesses operate in Margaret River, for example. Post the opening up of the availability of GM to be grown in Western Australia, they have continued to operate and maintain their GM-free status if they wish to.

Here in South Australia, the same thing is actually available to those members of any industry that operates within South Australia on the mainland. Kangaroo Island is the exception; it was carved out there under the act that it will remain GM free, but the rest of South Australia now has the choice. The producers on the mainland have the choice whether they would like to or they would like not to. Likewise, the businesses that are buying from those growers can choose to buy from those growers if they are GM free if that's what they want, or they can buy a GM product if that is what they want.

It's very much allowing the choice of the individual businesses to do what they would like to do without government telling them they have to do one thing or another. This is very much enabling the choice of the individual, to enable them to choose what is best for the business. It's very much up to them. That's how we have considered it. Again, I would like to reiterate that I support the opinions of the committee.

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The minister might resume his seat for a moment. Is the member for Mawson rising on a point of order?

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: No, sir.

The SPEAKER: The member for Mawson might resume his seat. The minister has the call.

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM: As I said, I would very much like to again say that I am pleased that the advisory council, all appointed by the former minister, and I don't understand why he doesn't accept the views of people he appointed—I very much accept their unanimous agreement—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Mawson!

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM: —that the 11 councils were not able to show that they had a marketing advantage for the councils' areas to remain free. There is nothing saying that individual businesses within those councils can't remain free if they wish. This very much opens the opportunity for many, including grain growers, with the opportunity to take up canola now right around the state. That's the only crop that is available at this point in time, but there are other exciting things in the future that we may want to take advantage of in this state. I think this is a great decision. We have headed forward with the choice for farmers now being front of mind.