CRUISE SHIPS

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (16:24): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Tourism a question about cruise ship visits to South Australia.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M. Gazzola interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: I will have to start all over again, Mr President. I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Tourism a question about cruise ship visits to South Australia.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: I understand that last weekend saw four cruise ships dock at Port Adelaide. Can the minister advise the chamber of the benefits these visits can have to South Australia?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (16:26): The honourable member is quite right, as always. Last weekend, we saw four cruise ships, including one of the world's largest, dock in Port Adelaide, bringing around 10,000 passengers and crews to South Australia.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: Crews, or crew?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Crews, because there were more than one crew. The plural of 'crew' is 'crews'. I think the past weekend was a sign that the government has had some success in having South Australia recognised as an international cruising destination. I am advised that between 2004-05 and 2009-10 there has been a 600 per cent increase in passenger numbers and a 450 per cent increase in ship arrivals. In 2004-05 we received six ships with just over 5,000 passengers, and in 2009-10 we received 27 ships and 35,000 passengers.

As Minister for Regional Development, I was delighted to learn that cruise ships are also visiting our regional ports. I am advised that in 2012-13 we will see seven cruise ships arrive at Port Lincoln, Kangaroo Island and Robe, and I am sure these wonderful areas of our state will benefit from the cruise ship visitors; and I am delighted that tourists will get to experience some of our unique and beautiful seaside communities and some of our fabulous food and wine.

I must also inform members that not only was the past weekend an indication that South Australia is becoming a cruise ship destination of choice but it was also significant because it was the first time that three ships were docked at Outer Harbor on the same day. I am told it was an impressive sight on Saturday morning when the Queen Mary 2 arrived. It is the largest ocean liner to cruise Australian waters and, as members can appreciate with these figures, the Queen Mary 2 arrived at Port Adelaide with around 2,600 passengers and 1,200 crew.

On Sunday, we saw the arrival of the Celebrity Century, the Crystal Serenity and the Athena. These are impressive ships as well, and I am delighted that a large number of passengers was able to be accommodated. One of the ships carries 2,150, another carries 1,100, and the Athena carries 550. I am sure that visitors to Port Adelaide took the opportunity to see more of our wonderful state and, indeed, the city. The city trading hours were extended in Rundle Mall on Sunday, when the shops opened from 9.30. I was also delighted that live music and entertainment were featured in the city centre. Of course, as regional development minister, I understand some passengers explored our nearby regions on day trips.

I was very pleased with the efforts of the South Australian Tourism Commission to attract those ships. It has worked very hard to bring about these arrangements, and some of the work they have done includes attending world cruise trade shows to build relationships with companies and develop fresh, dynamic and interesting day tour itineraries that are refreshed each year to ensure passengers keep enjoying our ports. The SATC is constantly in touch with cruise ship companies to ensure that they are catered for when they visit our state because, after all, if the cruise ship company is not happy with a destination, they obviously are not going to return. So, congratulations to them all on such a successful weekend.