FOOD AND WINE INDUSTRY

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:30): By way of supplementary question, when did the government announce that it was scrapping its election promise, and how much money was spent prior to that announcement?

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) (14:30): The premise of the Hon. David Ridgway's question is inaccurate. I have just gone to considerable lengths to outline the fact that this initiative was not scrapped, that in fact a great deal of work has been done to achieve the intent of the initiative. I have outlined that and an enormous amount has been delivered. In terms of the date, I would have to check that. It was at the time of minister O'Brien, and I am not too sure exactly in what year that occurred, but I can find it and I am happy to bring it back.

It just shows that the Hon. David Ridgway is completely out of touch because, had he bothered to discuss or raise this at all with any of the key industry stakeholders, they would have said to him, 'Oh, no, the minister consulted with us at the time. We in fact believe that this is a very positive way to go, we believe that the funds should be given to the industry for industry-led activities.' That is what we did and that is why those substantial grants were given to organisations like Food SA and the wine association, industry-run and managed organisations, and spent on those priorities identified by the industry itself. I think that is a very sound position from which to be coming.