RIVERLAND SUSTAINABLE FUTURES FUND

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:55): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Regional Development a question about the Riverland.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: The Riverland has a special place in the pantheon of the state's remarkable agricultural regions, with its wine, fruit, vegetable and nut producers, as well as being a great place to holiday or for people to put their feet up in their retirement. We all know that the economy of the Riverland—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Mr President, I find it staggering that, after the pathetic questions asked by this disgraceful opposition, when we get a question about the bread and butter issues of the Riverland, they want to ignore it. We all know that the economy of the Riverland has suffered a good deal over the last few years, with the extended drought having an knock-on effect to the community. Having less money to go around after a poor season causes reductions in spending in the local shops and businesses, and the pressure caused by a couple of poor seasons can be too much for even a well-run business.

Now that the drought has broken, some may think that the problem has been washed away by the floodwater flowing down the mighty Murray, and the public's attention has moved on to other things. Can the minister explain how the government is supporting the Riverland to diversify and adjust to difficult economic circumstances?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises) (14:57): I thank the honourable member for his most important question and, indeed, for giving me the opportunity to talk further about the special needs of those in the Riverland and the support the government is directing towards their needs.

The government has indeed provided significant assistance to the Riverland over the past few years, as I said when answering the previous question, and much of that support relates to drought relief programs. However, it is important to recognise that, although the drought is now over, the Riverland continues to face significantly challenging times. The commonwealth government has acknowledged this by extending assistance through the exceptional circumstances funding, and I certainly welcome this. The South Australian government also remains committed to helping the Riverland economy to adjust and diversify.

Obviously, I was delighted to visit the Riverland last week, where I announced the first grants from the Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund. During that visit, I met with representatives of the citrus, almond and wine industries and a wide range of other key community leaders. I met local government leaders and Regional Development Australia board members.

On Friday, I visited AgriExchange in Renmark to discuss the company's plans to expand its fruit packing operations. The government has contributed $620,000 towards a $1.239 million project, which is expected to create 150 new seasonal jobs in the Riverland. The government assistance is helping the AgriExchange to improve its facilities at Murtho, which will assist the production and marketing of one million additional cartons of citrus. This will add between $20 million and $30 million to the gross domestic product of the region and the state.

I know that members opposite will be pleased to hear this news and that they will be as delighted as I am that the government is delivering on its election promise to support the Riverland community with $20 million over four years. This money is not a handout: it is a hand up—the government is helping the Riverland to help itself. We have provided the funds to enable diversification and adjustment. The problems facing the Riverland are well known to honourable members—years of drought, declining river levels, over-production of grapes, poor commodity prices in some areas, and the list goes on. The government recognised that help was needed and that it would be extremely difficult for a community to survive these challenges without some support and assistance, and that is why we promised $20 million to assist the Riverland.

The Liberals, I might remind you, Mr President, promised $10 million—half what we promised—until they were exposed, and then they were embarrassed into matching the government's commitment. That is on record; the Liberals promised $10 million. We promised $20 million, and the Liberals were dragged kicking and screaming with egg on their faces (shame, Mr President, shame!) to match the government's promise.

The Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund was established to assist with industry restructuring and to promise sustainable economic and social development in the Riverland. Of course, that is not what the Liberals intended. They had no idea what to do with their $10 million, which overnight in February last year they were shamed, as I was saying, into making $20 million.

The honourable Leader of the Opposition went on ABC Radio and talked about handouts. Can you believe that? She talked about handouts. The people I met in the Riverland don't want handouts. They want a hand up, and that is what this government is doing. The Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund offers matching funds for a range of eligible organisations and businesses that want to invest in the area and provide economic growth. The $20 million fund is accessible by industry and businesses, non-government organisations and local governments, to fund projects and improve infrastructure, support industry attraction and help grow existing businesses.

I know that honourable members care about the Riverland and its future, and I acknowledge the interest in this topic displayed by the Hon. Robert Brokenshire, who talked last year about establishing an enterprise zone in the Riverland. I know that he is committed and at least appears to be genuine in his desire to support the Riverland. The Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund is encouraging business development and enterprise, so it is in fact encouraging enterprise. Instead of low-interest loans, which the Hon. Mr Brokenshire called for in his press release and which indeed would add to state debt on the balance sheet, we are offering matching funds. He called for dollar-for-dollar assistance to be provided, and that is exactly what we are doing.

I invite the Hon. Mr Brokenshire and any other honourable member with policy ideas to promote regional economic development to come and visit me and share their views, before announcing an idea which in fact the government is already doing. I am happy to work together on this. People in the Riverland are sick and tired of being kicked around like a political football between the Liberal Party and Family First. The government has listened to the people of the Riverland, and we have heard them say they want a hand up, not a handout. I look forward to announcing future grants from the Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund and look forward to seeing the Riverland grow and prosper.