Private Members' Statements

Private Members' Statements

Mr TELFER (Flinders) (15:40): I want to draw attention to the desperate situation being faced by the oyster industry in Cowell/Franklin Harbour in my electorate at the moment. Due to the algal bloom and the associated toxins, oyster growers have now had months without being able to sell their oysters, which means they have not had any income at all. All these businesses are in dire straits.

There is growing frustration with what seems to be a lack of urgency and the slow response of the government. They want more than just words; they need real action. I am specifically talking about Franklin Harbour oysters, but we know that there has been brevetoxin in oysters on Yorke Peninsula since May. Oyster growers are waiting over 10 days for brevetoxin testing results, as there is not the capacity within Australia and the testing needs to occur in New Zealand. This means there are weeks in between knowing if the toxins are at safe levels or not and that means more and more time without income. It is not sustainable.

Franklin Harbour oyster growers need the government to do better, so what can be done? Can we fast track the approval of some of the existing technology for comparable testing for on-the-spot testing kits for the brevetoxin?

Cowell also plays a key role as an oyster nursery, so this is having significant flow-on effects on the whole industry. Eyre Shellfish, for instance, a vital oyster hatchery at Cowell, has not been able to sell its spat and is under significant financial pressure. They need government support in the short term, financial support to ensure that regional jobs are not lost. Cowell oyster growers need the government to not just talk but to fast track some action.

Mr FULBROOK (Playford) (15:42): It is my pleasure to announce that for one night only, on 9 October, our community will host something very special: the proud tour of the Sheffield Shield and One Day Cup trophies. This is a massive coup, and I could not be more excited to share the details.

The tour will begin at the North Pines Sports and Social Club from 5.30 to 6.20pm, and will then move to the Salisbury Downs Sports and Community Club from 6.30 to 7.20pm, finally concluding at the Parafield Gardens Soccer and Sports Club, where the trophies will be on display from 7.30 to 8.30pm.

I want to sincerely thank Jassmine Wood from SACA, whose assistance has been instrumental in making this happen. This is a wonderful opportunity for locals to come along, have a photo taken with the trophies, enjoy a drink, and perhaps even consider becoming a member of one of these fantastic community clubs. I warmly encourage everyone across the community to join us for what will be a fantastic evening.

Mrs HURN (Schubert) (15:43): Last week I had the great pleasure of attending the Barossa Regional Residents Association community meeting. They put on a great community meeting at the Tanunda CWA Hall, and we were blessed with the presence of a number of fantastic people from across the community. We had Alex Bradley, Max McCulloch, Mary Morris and Mark Mader, who all spoke really passionately about a number of issues that are impacting our local community, whether that be the preservation of the iconic Seppeltsfield palms right along Seppeltsfield Road or the proposed expansion of the Penrice Quarry or other developments in my local community, including a wind farm that has been proposed at Twin Creek.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to speak on a couple of issues that are impacting my local area, and first of all was the Sturt Highway. I was pleased to advise everyone that the petition that was launched by my community has now reached more than 4,000 signatures calling for action to improve this. Secondly, speaking about the new Barossa hospital in question time today, I asked the minister whether the $5 million, which has been sitting in the budget to purchase the land, had been utilised, with an EOI having closed at the start of this year. Disappointingly, the answer was no. There is no time to waste when it comes to securing this piece of land. Our local doctors support it, my community supports it. It is time to get on with it.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light) (15:45): On Friday 5 September, I had the pleasure to represent the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. Clare Scriven, at the National Rural Ambassador Award presentation hosted by the SA Country Shows association and Agricultural Shows Australia. The Rural Ambassador Award is a national competition that highlights and celebrates young people who have a genuine interest in rural and regional Australia or New Zealand.

The award aims to provide an opportunity for young people to promote rural communities and industries, as well as to be involved in promoting the importance of agriculture and food production. Finalists came from every state, with Grace Collins from New South Wales taking the crown. Thea Walker from WA was the runner-up. Kayla Starkey was an South Australian finalist. Kayla is a sixth-generation sheep farmer and ag science teacher from Mount Pleasant. Of the seven finalists, six were women, with Tasmania represented by the only male, Dylan Bellchambers.

All the finalists were worthy of being declared rural ambassador. Not only are they involved in agriculture in some capacity but their contribution to their local show society and their communities is just outstanding. These young adults will certainly be the leaders of our rural communities in the future, and show societies will benefit enormously from their contribution. South Australia Country Shows represents 48 country shows and their societies across the state. The autumn show season is held between February and April, and the spring show season is held between August and November. Country shows are more than the sum of various competitions. They are a celebration of rural life at the heart of Australia.