Livestock SA

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (14:40): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister update us all in the council about the recent Livestock SA annual dinner and the outcomes of its annual general meeting?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:40): I thank the honourable member for his question. I am delighted to answer because South Australia's livestock industry is significant, with the latest PIRSA scorecard showing total livestock production value worth $2.39 billion, which is an 8.4 per cent increase on the previous five-year average.

Top destinations for South Australian livestock exports included the United States, valued at $353 million; China, worth $117 million; South Korea, worth $94 million; and Japan, with an export value of $69 million. These are impressive figures because it is an impressive industry.

It is fitting that the industry gets together to celebrate and acknowledge the value and significance that they contribute towards the agricultural industry here in South Australia. That is why last week South Australian red meat and wool producers gathered for the 2024 Livestock SA annual general meeting and industry dinner. I note that it was also attended by the opposition spokesperson.

The annual general meeting provided the opportunity for members to review the organisation's performance over the past 12 months and also to reveal the outcomes of the recent board member elections. As a result of the elections, Lachie Seears from Conmurra and Mary Rowe from Coolillie were successfully elected to the Livestock SA board. I take this opportunity to again congratulate them.

In addition to the board elections, a new Livestock SA president was appointed. The board resolved to appoint Marla cattle producer Gillian Fennell as its new president. I am advised that this is the first time that a woman has been president or chair of Livestock SA, and I take this opportunity to congratulate Gillian on this impressive achievement. I look forward to working closely with her in her role.

As the new president—I am saying 'president', but I think they might actually be referring to 'chair' as there has been a change this year in their constitution—stated during her address to members at the Livestock SA annual dinner, the board is now for the first time composed of 50 per cent males and 50 per cent females, which is another wonderful achievement that the board should be congratulated on.

During the dinner, retiring board members were acknowledged for their significant service. I, too, would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their significant service to the livestock industry: firstly, Joe Keynes, who is retiring as President of Livestock SA, having been on the board and served for, I think, 10 years and seven of those as president. I congratulate Joe for the enormous contribution he has made. I have enjoyed working with him closely over the past couple of years as minister in dealing with a suite of matters relevant to the livestock industry.

Joe has not only served on the board for a decade but also served on the Primary Producers of South Australia board representing the livestock industry, Wool Producers Australia, Rabbit Free Australia, the Drought Hub Advisory Group, and the SA Dog Fence Rebuild Committee. I think the industry should certainly acknowledge and feel indebted to the work that Joe has done over this time and the amount of time that he has put into so many varied and important roles.

Also retiring from the board this year are Allan Piggott, Vice-President of Livestock SA, who has been on the board for nine years, Glen Tilley and Richie Kirkland. The retiring board members are certainly very committed industry representatives and I would like to once again thank them for their service. The new Livestock SA board is comprised of Lachie Seears, Mary Rowe, Anthony Hurst, Samantha Neumann, Mark Dennis, Leonie Mills and Colin Trengrove, with, as I mentioned, Gillian Fennell serving as chair and president of Livestock SA.

The dinner also heard from the Managing Director of Meat and Livestock Australia, Mick Crowley, who provided an insight into current market conditions and opportunities for the red meat industry, along with the current research and marketing that MLA is working on to further develop the industry.

The 2024 Livestock SA Biosecurity Farmer of the Year was also presented, and this year's winner was Ella Pastoral, in recognition of their dedication to exemplary biosecurity practices. The recipients of the 2024 Future Livestock Leaders Program, Jarred Hutchinson and Alisha Carter, were presented with certificates for completing the organisation's annual young leaders development program. I had the pleasure of meeting both Alisha and Jarred prior to the dinner, earlier in the week, as part of their week of immersion as part of that role, and they were both very, very interesting young people who clearly have a great future in front of them because of their dedication to various aspects of the livestock industry.

Once again, I congratulate Livestock SA on another successful year, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with them over the next 12 months.