Almond Industry

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:03): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Science and Information Economy a question about South Australia's almond industry.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: Colliers International Rural and Agribusiness Manager, Jesse Manuel, said that almonds have become Australia's most valuable horticultural industry. The almond industry is a major contributor to Australia's exports, with sales exceeding $300 million this year.

The almond industry is concerned that South Australia is at risk of losing one of the most important horticultural research and development investments in the past decade due to a lack of commitment from the state government. The Almond Board of Australia has put forward a business case for an almond centre of excellence to both the South Australian and Victorian governments seeking financial support for a state-of-the-art research facility.

The almond centre of excellence is expected to attract researchers and scientists from Australia and across the world. It is an investment proposition that will grow the industry, create jobs and increase exports for our state, and yet the Weatherill Labor government has not committed to supporting one of the most important horticultural opportunities presented to this state. My questions to the minister are:

1. Has the minister met with her colleagues to advocate for the establishment of the state-of-the-art almond centre of excellence in South Australia?

2. Has the minister consulted with the Almond Board of Australia and key stakeholders in the Riverland regarding this centre for research?

3. Given the Victorian Coalition has committed to providing $12 million for the centre of excellence to be built in Sunraysia should it win the election, is the state government merely interested to take a wait-and-see position?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:05): I thank the Hon. Jing Lee for her most important question. Unfortunately, she has directed it to the wrong minister. The Minister for Primary Industries is the relevant minister; however, I am happy to make some comments in respect to her question.

Being the former primary industries minister, I was delighted to spend quite a great deal of time with the almond industry, particularly in the Riverland area. I believe they did very well out of not just my time but this government's approach to primary industries. They were the recipients of a number of grants that I approved personally.

One grant was for Almondco, and I recall that it was a significant grant that I gave them, and it was to allow them to introduce pasteurisation equipment. At that time they didn't have it, and they were looking to expand their markets, particularly overseas, and the new standards required pasteurisation. They were able to purchase that equipment because of a state government grant, because of this government.

There were a number of other grants also to almond producers; I can't remember specifically what they were for. I think it was for expanding their sheds or such like, but they were significant financial contributions, and I know that, if the Hon. Jing Lee had spent a considerable time with the almond industry, they would have reflected very favourably on this government in relation to the significant amount of support they have received.

In relation to the almond centre, the government is working with the Almond Board of Australia on an offer to host the Australian almond centre of excellence in South Australia. I understand those discussions are underway, and the lead minister for that is the Hon. Leon Bignell.