Tourism Awards

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:14): My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Will the minister update the council about the recent South Australian Tourism Awards?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (15:14): I thank the honourable member for his question and his ongoing interest in the wonderful industry known as the South Australian tourism industry. As we know, it is incredibly important to South Australia's economy. It has risen to an all-time high of $7.6 billion—an all-time high. It's important to recognise the people across the industry in South Australia that make our tourism sector what it is. That's what the South Australian Tourism Awards are all about. It's a chance to get together to recognise success, celebrate achievements and build awareness of new players in the market. It was also a chance for me to personally thank everyone that works in the industry for everything they do to showcase our amazing state.

More than 700 people were in attendance on Friday night at an event that only gets bigger every year. I was given the opportunity to present four awards, including the Premier's Award for Service Excellence. This is the most prestigious award of the night and recognises outstanding achievement in all-round service presentation. That award went to the Seppeltsfield winery in the Barossa, a consistently standout performer that truly sets the standard for wineries and tourism businesses alike.

Further, I presented the award for Excellence in Food Tourism, which went to the Willunga Farmers Market, and the award for Self-Contained Accommodation, which went to Flinders Bush Retreats. Additionally, I was honoured to present the award for best Business Event Venue, which went to the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre. The Convention Centre was also inducted into the Hall of Fame, meaning they have won a gold award on at least three occasions. Six businesses in total were inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday night, a fantastic achievement indeed. Another great aspect—

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Point of order: all of this is on the public record in a number of places, including InDaily from last Friday.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Ridgway, exercise caution in your response to the question.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Yes. I'm just celebrating the great achievement of South Australian tourism operators and—

The PRESIDENT: I know what you are doing. That's not what the point of order was. The point of order was that you can't use information that's publicly available. I'm not aware of whether it's publicly available or not. I'm asking you to exercise caution. The response back to me should not be what you are trying to do. I know what you are trying to do.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Thank you, Mr President. I thank you for your advice.

The PRESIDENT: Don't talk over me again either, the Hon. Mr Ridgway. Now continue with your answer.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Another great aspect of the event is that it brings people from all parts of the state together. There are so many unique tourism experiences that are recognised, everything from the South Australia Wooden Boat Festival, the BIG4 Hahndorf Resort and the Beach Huts at Middleton.

It offers the opportunity to recognise the tourism workers that don't usually have the spotlight on them but who work so hard to offer amazing experiences and give visitors lifelong memories in South Australia. Additionally, it was wonderful to see individuals recognised in the awards, with Sinead Vandenbroek taking out the South Australian Tourism Student of the Year award and Rajdeep Singh winning the South Australian Taxi Driver of the Year. Our state has an abundance of world-class tourism offerings as well as world-class people that run them, and it is fantastic to have the chance to recognise their contributions.

I congratulate the Tourism Industry Council South Australia for once again organising a successful event. I wish the very best of luck to the winners that go on to represent South Australia at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Canberra in 2020.