Question Time

CHINA TRADE LINKS

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:20): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries a question about our premium food and wine.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: As members would know, this was one of the seven planks mentioned in the Governor's speech, that the government would be focusing on South Australia's premium food and wine. Yesterday, in response to a question I asked in relation to a forlorn hope that we will establish some shops in China, the minister responded by stating, 'A very important plank of this government, of course, is the premium food and wine from a clean environment.' Later on in her answer she reiterated that 'South Australia is renowned for premium food and premium wine.' My question to the minister is, if she is serious and genuine about supporting our clean green image and our premium food and wine, why has this government cut almost 400 jobs from PIRSA and $80 million in the last four years?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:22): I thank the honourable member for his question. Indeed, this Jay Weatherill government has made premium food and wine from a clean environment one of this government's strategic priorities. That priority directs the efforts and actions of government, right across government. A very good example of those efforts is the MOU and the developments around the Fujian Province and the development of very important activities there.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Ridgway, do you want to hear the answer or do you want to abuse question time?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: We can see that a great deal of activity has occurred there, not just in terms of processes in place and expressions of interest that are called for industry but also identifying technology exchange, policy discussions, research and development partnerships, and a management framework that has been established to capitalise on the agrifood and wine opportunities resulting from that relationship.

I am also pleased to say that the new food and wine centre being established to promote SA food and wine and tourism has commenced construction in Zhangzhou, a city in the Fujian Province. Construction is well underway. I have visited the site and seen it for myself. As I said, this provides enormous—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: What did you see there?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I saw the beginning of construction on that site and it was considerable.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: How many square metres is it?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: What I find astounding is that the Hon. David Ridgway has put out a media release about the Fujian project and it just defies logic; it is really one of the most irresponsible things that I have seen this opposition do. I am well and truly on the record saying that this is in a process of negotiation with the Chinese, with enormous financial and economic potential for this state. We have trumped this; we have beaten other states to this point. The Victorians are green with envy over this—they have tried to muscle in on this and muscle us out.

This project is just a phenomenal opportunity for economic activity in our primary industries here in South Australia and our food processing industries. What does the opposition do? The leader puts out a media release that bags this project—in writing, in public—bags a project in which we are still in negotiation, a project that is still under negotiation. He is so irresponsible that he puts out a media release that bags this really important project that has critical opportunities for this state.

We see the major Australia China Business Council supporting this project; we see the China-Australia Entrepreneurs Association supporting this project—two lead peak bodies all behind this project, and what does the opposition do? It puts out a media release that bags this project, a project in its very early stages, and it is not surprising that all the details have not been finalised as yet. It is reasonable that all the detail has not been finalised yet. It is a disgrace!

The opposition just wants to carp, be negative and talk down this state, and by bagging and talking down this state they undermine consumer and business confidence and create a significant lack of morale and confidence in this economy. It is a disgrace and I challenge the Hon. David Ridgway to reissue a media release in line with the support that this project is getting, both from the Australia China Business Council and also the entrepreneurs association.