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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-07-06 Daily Xml
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Ministerial Statement

AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN (Napier—Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Energy, Minister for the Northern Suburbs) (15:15): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN: I am pleased to announce that I have appointed a new Agribusiness Council to act as a high-level conduit between the state government and industry to ensure the sustainable growth of South Australian agriculture. The establishment of the Agribusiness Council follows a review of industry development boards and the Premier's Food Council last year. I would like to acknowledge past and present members of the Advisory Board of Agriculture, who performed a valuable role over many years. I thank them sincerely for their efforts.

It was my view the missing ingredient in advice coming to the government was high-level expertise from major players in the agribusiness sector. Growers and producers are well-represented on the various industry boards and the ABA, but there was no forum to bring farmers together with other significant players in the value chain. Utilising the broad expertise, networks and advice of industry representatives will not only improve strategic discussions, but also identify further domestic and international opportunities. It will assist in ensuring the sustainable economic development of this state.

Primary production, food manufacturing and the various agribusiness support sectors are pivotal to our economy, with the state's gross food revenue contributing an estimated $12.4 billion last financial year. Predictions of a 70 per cent increase in global demand for food by 2050 present an opportunity for our food industry to increase the supply to our interstate and international markets.

The new Agribusiness Council has attracted keen interest from high-calibre people, which represents a vote of confidence in the state's agribusiness sector. I am delighted that some of South Australia's leading rural business and industry leaders have come forward to serve on the council, which will hold its first meeting at Parliament House in early September. The members are:

Catherine Barnett, Chief Executive, Food SA;

Mike Brooks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, University of Adelaide;

Glenn Cooper, Chairman and Marketing Director, Coopers;

Rob Gordon, President, South-East Asia, Viterra;

Malcolm Jackman, CEO, Elders;

Rob Kerin, consultant and former premier;

Peter Michell, Managing Director of Michell Wool;

Richard Murdoch, Chairman, Advisory Board for Agriculture;

Malcolm Pridham, State Manager, NAB Agribusiness;

Louisa Rose, Chair, South Australian Wine Industry Council;

Darren Thomas, Chief Executive, T&R Pastoral;

Simon Venus, Partner, Piper Alderman; and

Carol Vincent, CEO of the South Australian Farmers Federation.

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