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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-06-04 Daily Xml
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Adjournment Debate

BAROSSA VALLEY

Mr VENNING (Schubert) (16:04): The State Rann Labor government wants us to be the world's leading food and wine destination—and I support that—yet then turns around and creates a huge impost in liquor licensing regulations, which will severely impact upon some of the great wine and food events that we have on offer in this state, and I have just been stunned by the lack of success in the budget, particularly for country people. In early April South Australia's wine regions collectively were rated among the top 10 regions of the world in the Travel + Leisure's 50 greatest destinations of all time listing. In response to the listing the Minister for Tourism said:

The standout experiences offered by our wine regions help us lure travellers from our high-spending target markets in Australia and overseas, boosting visitation and injecting more money into regional economies. The state government will continue to support and promote greater assets South Australia offers visitors.

This is not the case with regard to the impositions by the state Rann Labor government through its liquor licensing regime upon groups trying to hold successful food and wine events for their local community and visitors alike.

Every year a street party is held in Lyndoch from approximately 5pm to 10pm, previously held in the main street but now held in the recreational park, and liquor is served at that event. This year it was decided to hold an event on Easter Monday and it was named Lyndoch Family Fun Day as the 2008 event had to be cancelled because of rain. The organising committee applied for the appropriate liquor licence and was told three weeks before the event that it had to hire security guards.

Following the last event in 2007, the committee donated $500 to charity, helping provide a roof over the heads of homeless children. This was after the committee raised the $4,000 needed to cover its costs, which was difficult enough. How is it supposed to do this when they have to fork out for security guards for the day? Alcohol is served at the event, but it is a family orientated event with lots of kids entertainment and not a money-making event or a booze-up, with entry being a gold coin donation.

In the past 15 years the street party has been held there, there has never been an incident where the police needed to intervene. I therefore find it ludicrous that they are expected to hire a security company. Surely it is not too much to ask for the local police to stop by and check in. The police say, however, that it is not their responsibility. The event ended up hiring a security guard for the day, and kindly another guard volunteered for the day to help the committee keep down its costs.

I attended the event and, as is the case every year, there were no incidents or problems with behaviour. It was a wonderful family day, with many children enjoying the rides and entertainment, and the adults enjoying wine and beautiful food. Events like this demonstrate the community spirit for which the Barossa is known. The police attended for a brief period, despite their telling me personally that it was not their responsibility to do so.

An event named Lyndoch Uncorked used to take place annually at Lyndoch and alcohol was served at that event also. That event was cancelled because of the exorbitant costs largely associated with the need to hire security guards—a requirement of the liquor licence. I wonder how many more events like this will be cancelled not just in the Barossa but across our whole state. I note that the member for Mawson is here: his electorate is probably also affected. The Barossa is South Australia's food and wine flagship, but how about removing state government impediments? How dinkum are we? If you cannot help—and there has been very little—do not put impediments in the way.

On 1 May I was at Seppeltsfield to celebrate with the Premier the bottling and tasting of the 1909 100 year old port. Our host did a fantastic job. The managing director, Nathan Waks, and the director, Bruce Baudinet, greeted many important guests from all over, including the Premier. Seppeltsfield has the finest historic wine stocks in the world—no idle boast—and what a venue. No wonder the Minister for Transport picked it for his wedding venue. I also commend the wonderful gift the owners presented to the state via the Premier: 20 bottles of wine in a beautiful presentation pack. I ask the Premier what he has done with that. I hope he will present it to the parliament and have it on display either here or in the parliament, or in some prominent place where people can see it.

Mr Bignell: He got 10¢ each for the empties.

Mr VENNING: He got how much for the empties—10¢? It is a beautiful package and I urge members to look at it. It is beautifully presented and it is fantastic we are able to go there. The Premier enjoyed it, and certainly so did I.

Also, another owner, who does not wish to be public and never has her photograph taken is, of course, Janet Holmes a Court. I pay tribute to her because she has bought an icon of great South Australian importance—not just the land, buildings and history with it but also the fantastic wine stocks. I have been there twice in the last 12 months and both times I really did enjoy it and will long remember it. So, all power to them.

Also, today I express my sincere condolences to the family of the late Mrs Margaret Kelton. Greg Kelton, as we all know, is a journalist in this place, and sometimes we like him and sometimes we do not. He has a critical role writing for The Advertiser on politics, and most of us know him. I express to Greg and his family my sincere condolences. I know his wife has been sick for some time, and it is a very sad moment. Please receive from me and all members in this place our sincere condolences. We are thinking of you and the family at this moment.

I also want to thank the Minister for Health and the Attorney-General, after my request yesterday in this house, after my speech, and the emotion, concerning the two lads who were killed in the Barossa Valley. The second one was unable to be cleared from pathology and the family was told it could not have the body until late next week. I raised this with the Attorney-General and the Minister for Health sitting together, and that body was released in one hour. I say simply: thank you.

I was disappointed in today's budget. It is probably out of order for me to comment, but I say I was disappointed today that there was not too much for country people. I certainly look forward to closely scrutinising the budget.

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