SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FOOD INDUSTRY AWARDS

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (14:29): My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. Will the minister inform the chamber about the South Australian Food Industry Awards, the finalists announced last night, and when the winners will be announced?

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): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. The South Australian food industry, as I have said in this place before, is worth over $14 billion to the state's economy and, combined with the wine industry, employs one in five South Australian workers. Given the contribution the food industry makes to this state, I believe that the South Australian Food Industry Awards are a fitting way to recognise outstanding achievement, as well as providing the opportunity to benchmark, inspire and celebrate the best that the industry has to offer.

I am pleased to advise that, for the first time in the 16-year history of the awards, consumers had an exciting opportunity to vote for their favourite South Australian food company and get involved with the awards with a new Buy SA Consumer Award. In addition, the introduction of a Primary Producer Award ensures that those who grow and breed our premium food have the opportunity to be recognised and celebrated. These awards also align with the state government's strategic priority of premium food and wine from a clean environment and, in addition, create greater awareness of our producers, both locally, nationally and internationally.

Last night the food industry VIPs joined the host of the awards, Food SA, and representatives from the major sponsor, PIRSA, at the historic Regal Theatre to announce the South Australian food companies who are finalists for the 2013 South Australian Food Industry Awards. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend, but I understand that the finalists included well-known brands such as Beerenberg, Robern Menz and Bickford's, and niche producers such as Pangkarra Foods from Clare and Buzz Honey from the Adelaide Hills. Six of the finalists are first-time applicants, including Rohde's Free Range Eggs and SA Mushrooms. It was also great to see primary producers well represented, making up almost half of the total 19 finalist companies.

It is pleasing to see such a broad range of producers being named as finalists and a diverse range of product being recognised, including things like mushrooms, kangaroo, nuts, carob, honey, ice-cream, crackers and, of course, our famous lamb. The finalists announced last night are now in the running for 10 award categories: leadership, best practice, innovation, new product, regional sustainability, export, primary producer, workforce development, and the new consumer award. The winners of the awards will be announced at a gala dinner to be held on 29 November 2013 at the Adelaide Convention Centre. The dinner will showcase local premium food and wine and I am looking forward to attending that event. Tickets for the awards presentation dinner are still available online and more information is available on the SA Food Awards website.

Products from the state's aquaculture, fisheries, grain, horticulture and livestock industries are increasingly in demand for their quality and, of course, their high production standards and it is fitting to see these producers recognised for their innovation, sustainability, best practice and significant contribution to South Australia's economy.

These awards are really a fantastic way to highlight the diversity of our premium produce made right here in South Australia and I would like to place on the record my congratulations to all of the finalists and, of course, thank and acknowledge the good work of Food SA for their hard work, in particular, in running these awards for the second year.