AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (14:26): I have a supplementary question based on the minister's answer that SARDI is not going to the University of Adelaide. How will the minister address the impact of that on the budget given that there were savings to be made in the budget for PIRSA?

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) (14:26): I share the Hon. Robert Brokenshire's disappointment about the amalgamation not proceeding at this point in time. I think that would have been an excellent model but it is not to be at this point in time. We have repositioned ourselves so that we are able to move forward. For me, the most important aspect now is that we position ourselves in a way that enables SARDI to access those additional federal funds. Given that negotiations were not proceeding with the amalgamation, it was important that we looked at other alternate models to enable us to access those very important funds.

We have landed on a partnership arrangement and I think that is still a very strong position. As I said, it now opens the door for us and enables us to proceed to access additional funds. Who knows what the future will hold? We are always prepared to negotiate and to look at providing the very best model possible for research in this state because we know how important research is to our primary industries.

In terms of savings, my understanding is that SARDI has been required, as has every other agency, to produce savings. Those savings have been identified and they will have to be delivered. Whether it is a partnership arrangement or an amalgamation arrangement, those savings were still planned for. They are in the forward estimates and they are still the same level of savings that I am aware of, and they will still be required to meet those savings.