AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:31): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries a question about the shortfall of expertise in the agricultural industry.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: Waite Research Institute Director, Professor Roger Leigh, spoke at the Blueprint for Australian Agriculture Conference at the Adelaide Pavilion on 2 May, and he expressed his concerns about the demand for agricultural graduates outstripping the supply by more than 10 to one. Professor Leigh states:

...enrolments in agriculture degrees have been declining for a decade. The current estimate now is about 300 students graduating from agriculture courses in Australia and there are probably 4,000 jobs for agriculture graduates each year.

Reported on 8 May 2012 on ABC radio, the potato industry in South Australia announced that there was a lack of state government assistance to help their industry. Grow SA's Mike Redmond said:

More specialist staff are needed in horticulture and the government has the responsibility to adequately support the industry.

He went on to say that 'there's quite a hole in the expertise that the government offers the industry'. The South East Potato Growers Association's Andrew Widdison says:

Rising government charges need to be reassessed. Primary Industries Department needs to reinstate a staff member dedicated to the industry.

My questions are:

1. Does the minister acknowledge that the government has a responsibility to adequately support the agriculture industry?

2. If so, how does the government intend to address concerns from the industry regarding the shortfall of expertise in the agricultural and horticultural sectors?

3. What measures will the government put in place to reassess the needs of farmers and growers and the issues that the industry faces?

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) (14:33): I thank the honourable member for her most important questions. I am aware that there are skill issues not just within agriculture but right throughout our workforce and nationally speaking as well. For instance, I know that the mining industry as well is looking at shortfalls anticipated in the future around skill acquisition and skilled labour force needs. It is a challenging issue and one that considerable work and focus have been placed on.

There is considerable support for students at school, and also in tertiary education, who are interested in a career in agriculture or agriculture-related occupations, including pathways that they can follow from school through to university. South Australia is holding its share of students studying agriculture and agriculture-related qualifications. I understand that we have 7 per cent of the national share of VET and 8 per cent of higher education, so we are holding our own in terms of national representation.

In 2010, there were over 6,000 VET students and, I am advised, 1,500 higher education students enrolled in qualifications associated with agriculture. The number of students enrolled in agriculture-related qualifications increased between 2009 and 2010 by 13.2 per cent for VET, (compared to 5.1 per cent nationally, so we have more than doubled the national average) and by 8 per cent for higher education (that is compared to 5.9 per cent nationally, so again we are punching above our weight in terms of national averages).

Under the training guarantee for SACE students, a range of certificate II and III agriculture programs are available. Students will receive a subsidy when they undertake these programs under Skills for All. In terms of VET programs, I am advised that under Skills for All the state government will be funding some 57 qualifications related to agriculture. Of these, there are 13 qualifications that will be fee-free for students. In addition, there will be a loading of between 10 per cent and 40 per cent for training delivered in the regions.

That are pathways between vocational and higher education, including credit transfer arrangements between TAFE SA and universities. There are current arrangements between the TAFE SA Diploma of Rural Business Management, the University of Adelaide Bachelor of Design Studies, the TAFE SA Advanced Diploma of Rural Business Management and the Flinders University Bachelor of Government and Public Management.

In relation to higher education, I am advised that the University of Adelaide Waite precinct has been presented as a model for the co-location of agricultural research institutions and has established a track record for delivering value to industry through innovative research and quality education. Their programs include a Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences, a Bachelor of Oenology, a Bachelor of Science (Animal Science), a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology, and a Bachelor of Wine Marketing.

Of course, the Roseworthy campus of the University of Adelaide is internationally renowned in dryland agriculture, natural resource management and animal production, and is continuing its pioneering role to develop the campus as a hub of information transfer, communication, learning and new technologies for the rural community.