Rossi Boots

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:06): My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation. Could the minister tell the chamber how the government is supporting Rossi Boots to take advantage of emerging market opportunities?

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) (15:07): I thank the honourable member for his question and for his interest in manufacturing and jobs in this state. It is a question about footwear, appropriately, as the honourable member is often regarded as the best dressed person in this chamber. I recently had the opportunity to visit Rossi Boots in Hilton, to talk with Rossi and to be able to announce that the government is co-investing with Rossi in a grant to support the boot manufacturer to continue manufacturing boots in South Australia.

Rossi Boots is owned by the Rossiter family and has been manufacturing boots in South Australia now for 107 years. The company currently employs up to 80 people at their facility in Hilton.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: Do you own a pair?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: We have an interjection from the Hon. David Ridgway, asking if I own a pair. I reckon that I have owned probably a dozen pairs over the last decade or so. They are fantastic boots for out in the yard and gardening. I think I would have two or three pairs in rotation at home, so I thank the honourable member for his very good question. I don't think the Hon. David Ridgway is indicating whether he has ever owned a pair of these South Australian boots or not.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: Before you were born, I was wearing Rossi boots.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I thank the Hon. David Ridgway for reminding everyone just how old he is and how much it is time for him to move on and make way for younger people with better hairstyles, like the Hon. Andrew McLachlan. It is always a dangerous thing to remind people how old you are and how long you have been here, because it sets in people's mind time for renewal and change, as the Hon. Robert Ivan Lucas smirks right behind the Hon. David Ridgway.

I do apologise for allowing myself to be distracted by these out of order interjections. The company Rossi Boots produces a range of elastic-sided and lace-up boots using various advanced manufacturing technologies and processes, including the digitisation of the hides for optimum use in terms of the layout to cut the leather, waterjet precision cutting of the leather, computerised stitching, lasting and injection moulding.

Following the review of the business, Rossi had identified sales growth opportunity for their elastic-sided boots, particularly in North America, China and the United Kingdom. Rossi has developed a new business model that requires a new IT platform and an upgrade to their website for entry into these markets, as well as a 24/7 customer service centre in Adelaide to service online businesses and wholesale customers.

The recent review undertaken of the business found that with further investment Rossi Boots could continue to manufacture their renowned elastic-sided boots in Adelaide, making it viable for local manufacture and sale to both domestic and the increasing export markets. The government assistance of $250,000 will help the company to take advantage of these new opportunities, securing ongoing manufacturing in South Australia. In particular, the grant will assist with the implementation of the new website, the IT platform, the call centre and warehouse software, and will assist with the purchase and installation of new equipment, including a sole trimmer and stitching machine.

The investment is expected to create 10 to 15 manufacturing jobs in South Australia. The funding was provided to Rossi Boots in line with the state government's economic priorities, particularly promoting growth through innovation and thus small business access to capital and global markets. This announcement follows on, I am pleased to say, from the recent announcement made by our colleague in here, the Hon. Mr Malinauskas, that the MFS had selected Rossi as the provider of new station boots for firefighters, representing an estimated investment of $150,000 over three years. This stands in stark contrast to the federal Liberal government's decision not to award Rossi a defence contract.

This government is committed to assisting Australian businesses, in particular South Australian businesses, to thrive locally and on the global stage. I particularly want to congratulate Myron Mann, CEO of Rossi Boots, for his vision and persistence. The company's investment in advanced manufacturing and their technological systems will enable them to continue to manufacture their world-class product, as they have done for 107 years in South Australia.