Riverland Wine Grapegrowers

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (15:08): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Primary Industries a question about the future of Riverland grapegrowers.

Leave granted.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: There is a lot of speculation in the Riverland at the moment regarding the termination of the agreements between the CCW Co-op, which represents more than 500 growers, and the large wine companies, including Accolade. There are growing fears Accolade is manoeuvring to sign up about 100 of the largest growers as well as growers across the border in the Riverina to supply wine grapes and, therefore, eliminating their obligations under existing contracts with CCW growers. That would mean more than 500 growers being forced out of the industry, creating hardship, which many growers believe is the hidden agenda in the Riverland wine industry's blueprint, released late last year.

There are also concerns Accolade is in merger talks with other large wine companies, which if successful would make it the biggest wine company in Australia, with the ability to dictate the spot price for wine grapes. My questions to the minister are:

1. Are you aware of such merger talks and has the government been involved in any discussions with these companies?

2. Has PIRSA been contacted by representatives of the New South Wales government and/or Accolade regarding increased grape supplies coming from interstate?

3. Have discussions been held between PIRSA, the wine companies and the New South Wales government about providing a freight subsidy for grapes being transported from New South Wales?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:09): I thank the honourable member for his question. There are quite a few questions in there and I will attempt to remember each of them to be able to provide a response. First of all, I expect that probably members are aware of recent changes in ownership arrangements of Accolade. An announcement from the company was in the media probably about three to four weeks ago, if I recall correctly.

In terms of contractual arrangements for private businesses, I am aware of a great deal of discontent—to put it mildly—between the CCW members and Accolade. I have certainly met with members of CCW on a number of occasions, and I have arranged for the Commissioner of Consumer Affairs to meet with members. I think it will be in two weeks' time. I know that it is after the time that I am in China.

Obviously, arrangements between private businesses is something that is often confidential between those businesses. Sorry, it is the Small Business Commissioner who I have arranged a meeting with for some of the growers and industry members in the Riverland. In terms of interstate, I am not aware of any conversations of the type to which the member alludes, and I haven't heard of any discussions of a freight subsidy.