Legislative Council Fifty-Fifth Parliament Parliament, First Session (55-1) 55 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Plant Proteins Project Plant Proteins Project The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI Legislative Council Leader of the Opposition Plant Proteins Project The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:36): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development a question on plant protein. Leave granted. The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI Legislative Council The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: On 1 March 2022, it was announced that South Australia was set to be home to the largest pulse protein ingredient manufacturing capability in Australia thanks to a $113 million funding package from the Morrison government and a $65 million contribution from the former Marshall Liberal government. The Australian Plant Proteins project is worth a total of $378 million. My question to the minister is: will the minister give her assurances that a Malinauskas Labor government will honour the $65 million commitment made by the former Liberal government to ensure South Australia becomes a powerhouse in plant protein manufacturing? The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN Legislative Council Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister for Forest Industries The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:36): I thank the honourable member for her question. The extent, I am advised, of PIRSA's involvement in the plant-based protein program is that SARDI has developed a program of research to support the South Australian grains industry to meet its 2030 vision to position South Australia as a global leader in plant-based food research. I am advised that the plant-based protein program is underpinned by two key projects: foundational research for a new pulse protein industry, and the plant-based food incubator. The main aims of these two projects are to develop new high-protein ingredients from pulses and grains, understand opportunities for genetic improvement and agronomic management of high-protein pulse crops in South Australia, and provide research and development and infrastructure to support the development of plant-based foods. That is the involvement of PIRSA through SARDI in this very exciting program.