Question Time

Wine Industry

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:29): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries on the topic of the wine industry.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: In 2013, when there were concerns about the impending closure of the Elizabeth plant, the then Weatherill Labor government immediately committed $50 million towards the car manufacturing industry and their workers and cited that the then federal Coalition government's $100 million support package for workers at that time was pathetic and manifestly inadequate.

Fast-forward and this federal Labor government, in response to the wine industry and the Australian wine grapegrowers’ plea for $80 million in support packages, has given an absolute pittance in $3.5 million to the industry—what an absolute joke—and the Malinauskas government even less so. My questions to the minister are: does she fundamentally believe that those workers in the highly unionised car manufacturing industry are worth more investment by a Labor government than those working in the wine grape industry and, if not, will she today, on behalf of her government, pledge—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Wortley and the Government Whip (the Hon. Mr Hunter), who should know better, silence!

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Hear, hear! And if not, will she today, on behalf of her government, pledge to commit the same $50 million of support packages to the South Australian wine industry, which is currently on its knees, and, if not, why not?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter, do you want to answer the question?

The Hon. L.A. Henderson: The minister is capable of answering her own question, is she not?

The PRESIDENT: Order!

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Sit down.

The Hon. R.P. Wortley: I would sack your question writers.

The PRESIDENT: I am going to sack you if you keep it up. You will be having an early minute. Look, we were late this morning—I get it—but can we just get through question time. Minister, please.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:31): I think it's quite fascinating that those opposite are referring as an analogy to the car manufacturing industry, the industry that they chased out of Australia, and using that as an analogy with the wine industry. Are they acknowledging or are they indeed accusing their federal colleagues of chasing a lot of the wine industry out of Australia? Is there a reference to the behaviour that resulted in the wine tariffs from China? It is very interesting that they are taking responsibility for that, but I am sure that's a positive step forward for them. I have outlined in this chamber on a number of occasions the very many steps that I have undertaken and that our government has undertaken in terms of providing assistance.