FOOD INDUSTRY AWARDS

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (15:47): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries a question about promotions.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: It seems to be a bit of a theme—through the South Australian government's initiative, premium food and wine from our clean environment. We are proud to support the South Australian food industry, one of the most dynamic and innovative industries in this country. My question—which is not based on made-up assertions, which is not based on anonymous faxes to Liberal Party headquarters, which is not based on overheard conversations while drinking muscat at dawn at the Adelaide Club but which is to the correct minister who has the correct portfolio—is: can the minister provide the chamber with an update about partnerships occurring in the food sector?

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) (15:48): And I was very pleased that it was also not information that he put together listening to the radio while he drove in to question time, unlike the opposition. I thank the honourable member for his well thought through and considered question. On Friday the 16^th I had great pleasure in attending the 15^th South Australian Food Industry Awards hosted for the first time—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: One Labor member, six Liberals.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: That says a lot, doesn't it? It's a food award: a big feed—a big free feed. What a disgrace!

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: What a disgrace. You can always tell when there is a free feed and some free booze: they are lined up en masse. This year's theme—'What is the secret ingredient? The people!'—focused on celebrating the amazing people who make up the SA food industry. The awards are an important tool in recognising outstanding achievement in the South Australian food industry, rewarding businesses and individuals who demonstrate vision, leadership and excellence in their field. The passion, dedication and integrity, the spirit of the people, are the essence of what makes our industry successful and culturally inspiring.

Twelve food companies from diverse areas of the industry were announced winners, with the highlight of the night being inducting the oldest family-owned chocolate manufacturing retailer in Australia, Haigh's Chocolates, into the San Remo Hall of Fame. There were 11 other deserving winners, each covering this year's revised categories, which included Franz Knoll, director of the Barossa Fine Foods, winning the Leader Award for his leadership in the food industry, in which he has made an outstanding contribution towards best practice, production and innovation with his own company as well as the wider meat and smallgoods industry.

Bickford's, I was really pleased to see, took out the Best Practice and Sustainability categories, demonstrating world standards of production and practice. Beerenberg was also awarded for its exemplary workforce strategy, winning the Workforce Development Award. There were many other winners, including Barossa Valley Cheese, the Australian Carob Co., Mexican Express, Sunfresh Salads, and a number of others.

However, it is not all about winners. The entrants to the SA Food Awards benefit from two hours of free mentoring and coaching in a field of their choosing, such as food production, marketing and packaging design, corporate and legal conversation, or research and development. In addition, feedback is provided to all shortlisted applicants to ensure individual success while supporting the growth of companies and industry as a whole. This in turn contributes to increasing the state's food reputation by creating greater awareness of South Australia's vibrant food industry.

The Awards Gala Dinner provides an opportunity to benchmark, inspire and celebrate a dynamic industry, with guests enjoying an incredible meal, which was a sampler of the fabulous quality food that we produce. This is just one example of the government's recognition of the priority to promote premium food and wine from our clean environment.