Rock Lobster Industry

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:41): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries. Did the minister meet with and advocate to the Chinese Premier, Li Qiang, during the removal of tariffs on South Australian rock lobster during his recent visit to Adelaide? If so, what outcomes has the minister achieved for the rock lobster fishing community?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:41): I thank the honourable member for her question. No, I did not meet with the Chinese Premier at the weekend; however, in terms of rock lobster, it's certainly been something that has been consistently advocated for at many levels, certainly by myself. Just last week, I met with Minister Farrell and Minister Watt, the federal ministers for trade and for agriculture respectively, in regard to rock lobster and, indeed, had a meeting with Minister Watt I think it was in the week previously as well.

In addition to that, both the Premier, when he has been engaging with China on many different occasions, and myself when I visited China were keen to advocate for all of our industries, including rock lobster. Rock lobster is the only industry still currently affected by Chinese trade bans or trade impediments. There are still others in other states but, in terms of rock lobster, that's the only one that South Australia is still enduring. I am very optimistic that the excellent work and the consistent work of stabilising the relationship with China will result in some positive news and I hope that that will be in the near future.