Charity Soccer Match

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:56): My question is for the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister tell the council about the outcome of the recent charity soccer game played at Coopers Stadium in support of Rural Business Support?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:56): I thank the honourable member for his question. Members in this place may recall last year's charity soccer match between the state government and the agriculture industry, held at Coopers Stadium in support, then, of Riverland and Murraylands residents impacted by floods, with a few members in this place sticking on the boots—I did not say sticking in the boots; sticking on the boots—along with offering coaching advice.

As members may be aware, the state government, Adelaide United and the South Australian Produce Market once again decided to join forces for another game in support of our farmers and regional communities. Last year, the state government was victorious, taking out the victory five goals to two. The second instalment, which occurred recently, certainly did not disappoint.

I know soccer is sometimes criticised as being a low scoring game, but this game was anything but. The game had 12 goals scored, a penalty shootout and even a yellow card. I am pleased to advise that once again the state government, despite at one stage being down 5 to 1, retained the trophy after drawing 6-6 and winning the subsequent penalty shootout. I am advised that it is the view of industry that the member for Hartley used questionable tactics, namely handball, when he equalised to make it six all, but it was a remarkable come-from-behind victory nonetheless.

This was, of course, all for a very good cause. It was raising money for farming families in our regional communities. In total the game raised $63,000, which will be donated to Rural Business Support for farmers associated with the horticultural industry.

Of course, events like this do not just occur, and a significant amount of work was done behind the scenes to ensure that the event went ahead and that it was successful. I thank everyone for their hard work in delivering what was once again an incredibly successful event. I would like to thank the South Australian Produce Market, in particular the chief executive Mr Angelo Demasi, who has been instrumental in the ongoing success of these games; Pick a Local, Pick SA!; Adelaide United; Foodland; Mon Saunders and Brett Smith from Rural Business Support; and also Professor Mehdi Doroudi, the Chief Executive of PIRSA, who is also incredibly passionate about his soccer. All of those have been central to the event, and I thank them for their significant support.

While the event was led by the horticulture industry in South Australia, it was wonderful to see a wide range of other stakeholders from the agriculture industry present in support of the game. I also congratulate and thank BankSA, 4 Ways Fresh Produce, Adelaide Venue Management, Agribusiness Recruitment, AUSVEG SA, Bache Bros, BiobiN, Costa, K-ROO, Livestock SA, Nutrien, Russo Produce, Thomas Foods International, the South Australian Forest Products Association, Willoway Farming and Viterra for their involvement and support of the initiative.

While I am sure there were more than a few sore bodies the next morning, it was all for a great cause and I am sure it was absolutely worth it. Once again, I congratulate everyone for their involvement and support of regional communities in South Australia.