Question Time

Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:18): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of the Government a question regarding the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: It has come to light that the state government will be discontinuing its funding for the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics in the budget to be handed down on 7 July. In fact, minister Bignell confirmed that in an article in The Advertiser today. This institute is a world leader in innovative research and development with respect to grain, in particular wheat and barley. This institute develops IP around agronomically valuable crop plant traits that can be utilised by plant breeders and industry to develop commercial crop varieties that exhibit tolerance to abiotic stresses, such as drought, heat and salinity.

Therefore, this research and development is crucial in supporting South Australia's wheat industry. The wheat industry contributes over $2 billion to our economy and has consistently been South Australia's biggest export. In fact, last year South Australia's $1.3 billion of exported wheat accounted for 11.5 per cent of our state's total exports. By cutting this funding, the director Dr David Mitchell says that the state government is putting at risk some 80 jobs. These jobs are high-level research scientist jobs and supporting staff.

The Weatherill government's seven strategic priorities and 10 economic priorities both claim that premium food and wine, exports and growth through innovation are key priorities of this government. It is interesting that one of the statements often made by the Premier is:

World leading food, wine and agricultural research will provide the platform from which we will export our ideas, intellectual capital, products and services.

The decision to discontinue funding the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics fundamentally contradicts the objectives outlined by this government. My question to the Leader of the Government is: how can the state government and you, as the third most senior member of that government, justify withdrawing all the funding for the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:20): I thank the honourable member for his question, his interest and his lack of understanding of ministerial responsibility which, as we have talked about in this place before, is not surprising seeing that he has never been close to being a minister himself. This matter does not fall within my portfolio areas. I will be happy to refer those questions to the minister responsible, as is the proper way to do it, and bring back a reply for the honourable member.