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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
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Motions

Women in Agriculture

Debate resumed.

Mr HUGHES (Giles) (11:30): I rise in support of the motion, maybe with some qualifications. Here we are in the 21st century and still women across the board in many industries are under-represented. Indeed, we just have to look across the chamber: 21 males and four females. We have incredibly prominent Liberals, including the federal industrial relations minister, Kelly O'Dwyer, who just the other day described the Liberal Party as homophobic, anti-women and climate change deniers. Indeed, we look at the treatment of Julie Bishop. We look at the resignation of Julia Banks from the Liberal Party going over to the crossbench and in doing that she mentioned the anti-women culture that exists within the Liberal Party.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: There is a point of order. I ask the member for Giles to be seated for one moment. A point of order from the Deputy Premier for relevance?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: Whilst I welcome the member's contribution, apart from Julie Bishop coming from a cherry-growing family, I think he is struggling for relevance.

The SPEAKER: Deputy Premier, for relevance, I do not accept impromptu speeches. I accept points of order. The point of order is a fair one. It is about relevance. I understand the point that the member for Giles is trying to make. I have given him some preamble, but I would ask him to please return to the substance of the motion please. Thank you, member for Giles.

Mr HUGHES: And I guess it is the overall context. Whatever industry we are talking about, whether it is agribusiness or other businesses, there are structural issues and there are systemic issues that work against the interests of women. Obviously, a lot of women have incredibly active involvement in agribusiness at all sorts of levels. We often mention those at the professional level and the senior level, and quite rightly shine the spotlight on them. I note the repeal of the labour hire legislation that we put in place when in government, partly to protect some of the most vulnerable people, not just in agribusiness but in other businesses, to deal with the expansion of labour hire companies, the rorting that has gone on, the wage theft that has gone on amongst the most vulnerable, and many of those people are women.

Having said that, I will focus on some of the great women in agriculture and some of these are at a national level. We have Fiona Simson, President of the National Farmers' Federation, who in some ways has been called an accidental activist, and it is probably incredibly relevant given the debate and division that occurred in the house yesterday that Fiona Simson ended up on her track to the presidency of the National Farmers' Federation when she became deeply disturbed at the powerlessness of farmers on the Liverpool plain when it came to opposing the extraction of coal seam gas. That was the start of her agribusiness political career, if 'career' is the right word in that particular set of circumstances. She was somebody who stood up for the farmers in her region, and now we are standing up for farmers nationally and tackling all sorts of incredibly complex issues that the farming community faces.

In this state, Caroline Rhodes came back from all the work she had done on a national level. I have had a number of meetings with the CEO of Grain Producers SA, and I am very impressed with her as an individual. She is an incredibly good operator and someone whom I have grown to respect.

A few weeks back, I heard a interview on ABC Radio National, I think, with two young male farmers and one female farmer. The female farmer, Anika Molesworth, took out the Young Farmer of the Year award and is currently doing a PhD in international agriculture development. She lives on a livestock farm, a sheep farm, just outside Broken Hill. The contrast between what she had to say and what the two males had to say was interesting.

The two males just repeated these very strange lines about climate change, whereas she was all across it. She got the science, but the two young males did not get the science. I suppose they were just echoing the incredibly inane comments that we used to get from Barnaby Joyce when it came to climate change. This young woman was incredibly smart and all over the science. That actually bodes well for the future. Of course, the President of the National Farmers' Federation, Fiona Simson, also thinks that the Liberal Party and the National Party, nationally, are completely out of step when it comes to climate change. It is incredibly encouraging to see that within the ranks of farmer organisations.

I remember a speech that Jacqui McGill gave. I have to congratulate the government on appointing Jacqui, the former asset manager at BHP, as the chair of the TAFE board. I think that is a very sensible and very worthy appointment. In her speech, she talked about the structural impediments and inbuilt biases that are often implicit when it comes to selecting women for a whole variety of roles. One way of shining a light on that was to talk about the social experiments that were done in relation to the Boston orchestra where males were invariably appointed to positions and lead positions. It was done on a networking-type basis, where you had the head of the orchestra or the people at the top appointing people like themselves—who were males.

So they went to blind testing, and a curtain was drawn. It was presumed that you could not tell whether it was a male or a female. Unfortunately, you could still tell because the females often wore high heels and walked across the stage, and so the bias was still there. Eventually, they did it in a way that no clues were given at all. In the first rounds of selection, there was an 11 per cent increase in the number of females appointed, but when it came to the senior positions—the second step in this whole process—there was a 30 per cent increase in female representation.

What it demonstrates—because the odds are that the males on the selection panels were not explicitly biased—is that there was implicit bias. That is incredibly complex and often happens at a subconscious level. This is just a way of illustrating that when we take away the cues the outcomes are very different. It indicates some of the structural and systemic impediments when it comes to women receiving high positions.

It is encouraging that there are more women in high positions, but it would be even more encouraging in the 21st century if we did not actually need to stand up and acknowledge whether you are a woman or a man because it was just normal—just normal. Having said that, I support the motion. The intent and the motivation behind it is good, but hopefully one day we will get to a point where we do not need motions like this.

Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (11:39): I rise to support the Attorney-General's motion:

That this house—

(a) raises awareness of the important role women play in agribusiness and in regional South Australia, especially in leadership roles;

(b) notes that women are occupying an increasing number of diverse roles in agribusiness; and

(c) recognises that South Australia continues to encourage more women to pursue careers in agriculture and horticulture as the world’s growing demand for our food continues to rise.

Obviously, we have a direct link in my electorate to agribusiness, regional work and the economic value that it produces. Agricultural production is a key contributor to regional economies. In 2016-17, the total value of agricultural output in Mount Gambier's District Council of Grant was $559 million, making it 58.7 per cent of value output of all sectors in the region and equating to nearly half of all local jobs in the District Council of Grant's area being employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing. It is a monumental contribution, heavily guided by the leadership of all the different sectors of agribusiness. As noted by PIRSA:

Agribusiness recognises an innovative, contemporary and exciting sector contributing significantly to the South Australian and national economies.

It is exciting that leadership roles are now becoming more accessible to women. Although 60 or so years ago, when women were not necessarily in leadership roles per se, a typical sign of the times was that many women were still helping and contributing to the farms, as well as raising children, often by themselves. Today, women are stepping into these leadership roles in a contemporary agribusiness sector.

Traditionally, women joined the Country Women's Association, the Women's Agricultural Bureau and the Red Cross in order to socialise and discuss farming and equality with other women living on properties, sometimes rural and remote. Although these organisations are still around and do some incredible work, we are now seeing more and more women stepping into leadership roles. One example is the new CEO of Grain Producers South Australia, Ms Caroline Rhodes, who has also held previous leadership roles in the agribusiness sector. Another is Mount Gambier-based CEO of Onions Australia, Lechelle Earl, who oversees all parts of the supply chain from growers through to seed, chemical and machinery specialists.

As the agribusiness sector becomes more contemporary, it is also working towards becoming more innovative. I speak of Limestone Coast resident Olivia Nunn, who has to make a two-hour round-trip each day from her home to work as an executive officer of the Coonawarra wine region's grower body. Miss Nunn speaks about the blackspots en route to work. I quote:

Those phone calls that you probably used to take advantage of and be able to do using car kits in a city environment, they don't necessarily exist when you're in a rural environment.

I take this opportunity to commend the Liberal government for their promise to fund regional blackspots, especially since an agricultural community such as the electorate of Mount Gambier often requires mobile phone coverage, even just as a safety backup or, in Miss Nunn's case, for leadership matters.

Women are playing a significant role in the South Australian agribusiness sector. I would like to highlight some quotes from Mount Gambier resident Wendy Fennell, who is the managing director and co-founder of Fennell Forestry, one of the biggest timber harvesting and transport operators in South Australia's Green Triangle. Ms Fennell noted, and I quote, not to:

…be afraid to acknowledge that women and men operate differently. I think personal characteristics are a greater barrier to career success than gender.

She says:

…that people are the most important part of any business and if you're going to lead, lead by example.

Ms Fennell leads a workforce of almost 80, overseeing all facets of the business, and in 2015 she was named businesswoman of the year at the Women in Business and Regional Development awards. Ms Fennell also highlighted that a career in agribusiness is a career that is constantly evolving through innovation and that, when combined with challenges of the natural environment that you deal with on a daily basis, this equates to a diverse platform from which women can launch themselves.

I commend this motion for highlighting the increasing number of diverse roles in agribusiness undertaken by women, particularly leadership roles, and for highlighting the important work they contribute. To quote PIRSA once again, 'Agribusiness is recognised as an innovative, contemporary and exciting sector contributing significantly to South Australia and national economies.' Women in leadership roles are helping break down barriers that initially hindered women in agribusiness, making it true that today agribusiness has become a contemporary, innovative and exciting sector.

Mr TRELOAR (Flinders) (11:46): I rise to support the motion brought to this place by the Attorney-General:

That this house—

(a) raises awareness of the important role women play in agribusiness and in regional South Australia, especially in leadership roles;

(b) notes that women are occupying an increasing number of diverse roles in agribusiness; and

(c) recognises that South Australia continues to encourage more women to pursue careers in agriculture and horticulture as the world's growing demand for our food continues to rise.

I congratulate the Attorney on bringing this very important motion to the house and would like to make a brief contribution on it today. Historically, agriculture has had quite distinct roles for both men and women. The Attorney-General talked particularly about the early days of this state when women really were providing support to their farming husbands. Reading between the lines, it is quite easy to see that it was more than support; in many ways, they held the show together. In fact, I would put my mother in that category. She spent years milking cows, feeding pigs, keeping chooks and keeping the whole show on the road while my father did the paddock work.

The Attorney also mentioned Women in Agriculture and Business and the CWA, both of which, I think, she is a member. Well done to her for that. The CWA, of course, is well known throughout Australia for its membership, its branch structure and the support it provides to women living in country areas of Australia. Women in Agriculture and Business is less well known, but I can say that there is an active branch in Port Lincoln. I think there are about 300 members across the state, here in South Australia. Again, it provides a really important network and support role for those women who are actively involved in agricultural business.

Of course, agricultural business means something different from what it used to. Once upon a time, life on the farm was relatively simple and enjoyable. It was a way of life and a lifestyle went with it. It was never easy, but it was all those things. It has become much more technologically advanced. Farming is far more diverse in the way it applies both technology and business structures, and women are finding more and more that there is a role for them at a senior level, not just in farm businesses but in farm organisations.

Farm business and agribusiness have become much more professional in the way they are run, and I think that has given women an opportunity to really step into leadership roles and management roles, often being more highly skilled and more educated than some of the men who operate in that environment. I am taking nothing away from the men there; I am actually congratulating the women on taking the initiative.

We are continuing to see a growth in productivity worldwide and in farms across Australia. That continued growth will require an increase in expertise, a workforce with increased educational qualifications and also business initiatives. The opportunities for professionals within agribusiness are endless. We have touched on a few of them today, but they are too numerous to name. Essentially, it is an opportunity for girls to leave school and take up an education and career path that will see them well set in the agribusiness world.

Two or three women in senior leadership roles have been mentioned today. I know that as soon as we start naming names we run the risk of forgetting some people, but Fiona Simson has been recognised as the leader of the National Farmers' Federation. Caroline Rhodes has also been mentioned; she is of course the CEO of Grain Producers SA. I first met Caroline when she was CE of the grains council—the South Australian farmers federation back in the day—so her career is progressing well.

I would also quickly like to mention Megan Low, who is based in Port Lincoln. Megan is the CE of Lower Eyre Agricultural Development Association (LEADA) and she does a terrific job. Primary production, including seafood, is paramount to the regional economy, particularly in my electorate. Farming and seafood are both primary production. Many women are already working within the seafood industry and taking their places at board level, which is encouraging to see.

A few years ago, I was fortunate to be awarded a Nuffield Farming Scholarship. Once upon a time, it was a male-only domain. It is a worldwide scholarship scheme which, in this country, provides Australian farmers with the opportunity to travel overseas. The scheme operates throughout the commonwealth and, to a certain extent, in some other countries. A couple of South American countries have come onboard, as have a couple of European countries. It is a very successful scholarship scheme and has seen worldwide growth.

As I said, once upon a time, it was a bit of a boys' club. These days, we are seeing more women being awarded these scholarships. Often, they are practising farmers or are at least practising within the agribusiness sector. This scholarship gives them the opportunity to travel the world, undertake a study of their choosing, then return to their original place of production or employment and bring to that the expertise they have gained through their studies. This enhances their farms, their businesses and their professional activities.

Congratulations to the Attorney-General on bringing this motion to the house. It is a very simple but very important motion. It is important for me, as somebody who is involved in agriculture, to recognise the increasingly important role that women are playing in our sector.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay) (11:52): I rise to support this motion and to talk about the contribution that women have made to agriculture in South Australia. South Australia was the first Australian state to establish an agricultural college, and it was a momentous event in the history of agriculture. Roseworthy Agricultural College opened in 1883 under the guidance of Professor John Custance. Many may not know that for first 91 years of the college, from 1883 to 1974, its graduates were exclusively male. Many of these men went on to become the backbone of South Australia's agriculture, farm management, wine and rural business sectors.

In 1974, something happened to change the history of women in agriculture in this state. The first female graduate of Roseworthy Agricultural College was recently honoured and recognised by the Roseworthy Old Collegians Association, and I would like to share part of her story. Pam Dunsford entered Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1972, already possessing a degree in biochemistry and horticulture from the University of Adelaide.

At that time, Pam fancied her chances of entering her fourth and final year in Roseworthy's diploma of oenology (winemaking) course; however, the principal at the time did not see it that way. In fact, during her initial entrance interview the principal said she would never get a job in the wine industry, they would not employ a woman and a woman could not do the job, but she went on to prove him wrong.

At age 22, she was a residential student at Roseworthy, surrounded day and night by 180 young men. She said that she felt intentionally isolated because of the leadership, who hoped that she would fail. She went on to graduate in 1974 and was ultimately the first woman to occupy an important winemaking position in a large company, the first Australian female winemaker to become a wine show judge and among the first women wine educators and winemaking consultants in this country.

While there were several obstacles in her way, she worked and talked hard. She developed bravado designed to bluff, tame and intimidate colleagues, as she says. Pam Dunsford went on to win a Churchill scholarship to France to study champagne production, and she was the first woman, French or otherwise, to be employed by Krug at vintage time, and she made some fine chardonnay and shiraz at Chapel Hill in McLaren Vale. Now she has retired from winemaking and, in 2007, she was honoured by the Australian government with an OAM for service to the wine industry as an oenologist, a judge and a promoter of the role of women in the field to business development and to tourism. She was also awarded a Centenary Medal by the Australian government in 2001.

In the 44 years since Pam Dunsford graduated from Roseworthy, much has changed. The college has accepted more and more female students into agriculture, wine and specialist programs like natural resources management and horse husbandry. In 1991, the college merged with the University of Adelaide and became the Roseworthy campus. In the last 15 years, the campus has developed an important focus on animal industries, including the new veterinary school and the new Bachelor of Science (Animal Science) course. Both these courses have been embraced heavily by female students. Many of these industries are seeing active contributions from Roseworthy graduates, both male and female.

As many in this house would know, I grew up in Kapunda, which is a farming community. When I was growing up, the contribution of women to farms was that they were often seen as a provider of a second income. They were often the local teachers or the nurses at the hospital, or perhaps they worked in administration at the council. Indeed, for many of the farmers they were blessed to have a stabilising regular income from a non-seasonal source.

This did not mean that women did not work on farms, but I would say that often they were considered the silent partner. Often they worked particularly around harvest time and supported their husband as he managed the farm. Today, many women are what I call public partners, acknowledged partners or they are leading farming businesses.

In South Australia, we also have a number of key organisations that have a strong role in supporting women in rural areas and in agriculture. Already we have heard today reference to the iconic Country Women's Association, which is still a powerful and resilient support and advocacy group for rural areas. There is Australian Women in Agriculture, a not-for-profit company advocating for women's roles in influencing the agenda of the agricultural sector—and can I acknowledge the South Australian director, Simone Kain.

There is the women together learning group in SA, with their catchphrase 'growing and inspiring women in agribusiness'. They are a group of women supporting each at the highest levels of agribusiness in this state. Women in Agriculture and Business of South Australia Inc., known as WAB, is a 101-year-old organisation. It is the oldest rural women's group in Australia, with a dynamic statewide branch network. It is an organisation for women interested in rural and agricultural business issues and offers an education, leadership opportunities and skills. I understand they have a very active branch here in South Australia.

I would also like to acknowledge the Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA), particularly under the previous Labor government, where they developed the Women Influencing Agribusiness and Regions Strategy, a strategy to grow women's influence and engagement. PIRSA also developed the Stepping into Leadership program to assist women in agriculture to grow their skills. In the six years since its inception, 82 women have completed the program, going on to fill important roles, including board positions and management roles. Participants have come from a wide range of regions and represent industries such as grain, livestock, dairy, fisheries, wine and horticulture.

I have always spoken about the importance of primary production, but it helps to remind ourselves how important this is to our state. In 2016-17, the food and wine industry generated $19.97 billion for this state. Our agricultural commodity exports are valued at $7.4 billion. One in five South Australians is employed in food and wine industries. These figures are significant, and as a state we cannot ignore the significant contribution that women have always made in agriculture and continue to make into the future.

Can I acknowledge all the women who have been there, often beside their husband, but who are now stepping out of their shadow to be more publicly a partner or leader in this field. We know that it takes a woman each time to make a difference. We have in South Australia our first ever Deputy Premier as a woman, who has brought this motion to the house. When women take these leadership roles, younger women recognise that they can, too, and that when the opportunity presents, because they certainly have the talent, they will go forward in these leadership roles, whether it be in politics or business.

The reason I talk about Pamela Dunsford's story today is that she had to break down barriers to take this leadership role. She is obviously in the world's best class in her abilities, recognised by Australian governments and by winning a Churchill Fellowship. These leadership roles are important. It is important to recognise the role they play and I support this motion to the house.

Mr BASHAM (Finniss) (12:02): I also rise to support this motion brought to us by the Attorney. I want to recognise her in particular for her beginnings, growing up on a farm, to ending up as Deputy Premier. I think it is a credit to her and to the opportunities that exist for us all, men and women alike.

There are also many women I have worked with in my roles in the dairy industry whom I would like to mention. They range from Senator Anne Ruston, who up until recently was the Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. The Senator has come from a horticultural background—Ruston's Roses in the Riverland. She certainly has done both the industry and herself proud, particularly in her role as assistant minister in agriculture. She was very well respected in that role. She worked well with industry and helped many times to make sure a smooth outcome was found. One of the highest achievements at the moment is minister of the federal government.

Likewise, as many others have mentioned, someone else I have worked with over my time is Fiona Simson. I came across Fiona many years ago when she was involved with the NSW Farmers Association. She eventually ended up chairing the NSW Farmers Association, and I got to work with her closely through some difficult times in that role. It is an absolute credit to her that she has now gone on to head up the National Farmers' Federation—a very important role in agriculture. She is doing a wonderful job of bringing the position of agriculture to the wider community, particularly through these difficult times of drought.

There are some others within the dairy industry I really want to recognise. One lady I first got to know when I went into the national role as the representative from South Australia for the Australian Dairy Farmers was Shirley Harlock. Shirley was a member of the board at the time. I have a lot of admiration for Shirley and the work that she has done. Over the 10 or 12 years that I have known her, she has continued to put back into the industry and has tried to help achieve many things for the dairy industry.

Two other women I will mention were senior members of the leadership team at Dairy Australia when I was there, and one continues to work there now: Helen Dornom and Isabel MacNeill. Helen is someone whom I admire immensely. She has dedicated her life to the dairy industry, working in the RD&E and advocacy space in different roles at different points in time since the late eighties.

Helen has done an enormous amount of work, particularly recently in the sustainability space for the dairy industry, and has done an amazing job of positioning the industry to show how well it has done and how well it continues to do by improving and making sure that we have a sustainable industry, not just through our impact on the environment but making sure that we are economically sustainable and that we look after the people within our industry as well.

Isabel MacNeill's role was to look after the marketing. Many people may remember one of the advertising campaigns that she was involved with: the red-headed girl who goes through the journey of life ads. They show the little girl who starts off drinking milk, growing up to be a mother, and then her daughter having milk. It was an amazing dairy campaign, so much so that Channel 7 in particular continued to run that ad many years after the industry had stopped paying for it because they saw it as such an iconic ad. It is an amazing thing that these people have done for the dairy industry.

Other people I would like to mention are those who are more local in the dairy industry. One of the first women I worked with at the South Australian Dairy Farmers Association was Jill Williams. Jill is a dairy farmer from Parawa, and she has done a lot in her life for the industry as well as helping to run the business with her husband, Ian. Both of them have committed their lives to putting back into the dairy industry even though at times the business decisions on the farm have been difficult. They have still wanted input into leadership roles.

I have amazing admiration for another woman named Jodie Connor, who lives at Nangkita and who has done amazing work looking after issues around not only dairy but also the community and making sure that the communities of Mount Compass and Nangkita continue to thrive. Another lady I spent a lot of time working with and who was the regional manager of RD&E Dairy SA here in South Australia was Verity Ingham. Verity brought into that space a role where farmers and the community alike saw it as an important part of the dairy industry in actually delivering programs back to dairy farmers.

The final person I would like to recognise is a lady in Victor Harbor who has recently been recognised by the business community there for her commitment to agribusiness, and that is Beryl Price. Beryl is someone who has operated quietly behind the scenes. She has not wanted to be out the front being the driver and shaker of leadership roles. Although she has chaired many committees, she never really wanted to be the person out there advocating. Beryl and her husband, Paul, continue to live out towards the end of the peninsula, just at the edge between Finniss and Mawson, and they still continue to have enormous input into the needs of agriculture in the local area of Victor Harbor, in particular.

Personally, I also want to recognise two women who are very important to me: my wife and my mother. They have both done a lot for agriculture, and they have done a lot to enable me to be here.

The Hon. V.A. Chapman: They have probably milked a lot of cows.

Mr BASHAM: Not my wife. My wife has not milked a single cow in her life. They are very important people who have supported me to get where I am. Interestingly, 15 October is Women in Agriculture Day; it is also my wife's birthday. I thank the Attorney for bringing this motion before the house and I totally support it.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE (Chaffey—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (12:11): I rise to support the Attorney's motion brought before the house here today, and what a great motion it is. What a great way to celebrate women in agriculture and the contribution they make to what I consider to be one of the most critical economic drivers in the world. Here in South Australia it is our number one economic driver. It creates not only wealth and jobs but it is part and parcel of the majority of people's way of life. Everyone has to eat and enjoy good food, but they also need good leadership within that sector.

Rural women make up over a quarter of the world's population and the majority of the 43 per cent of women in the global agriculture labour force. The government is committed to promoting agribusiness and regional career pathways for women. PIRSA recently hosted Agri-Masterclass lessons in leadership on International Day of Rural Women. Joyce Ceravolo from Ashton Valley Fresh, Penny Schulz from Schulz Livestock and Victoria Angove shared their personal and professional experiences of working in industry.

They are three women with whom I work on a day-to-day basis. They are three women with a great vision, and they also have great skills in leadership in the businesses within which they work. At the recent 2018 AgriFutures Rural Women's Award in Canberra, South Australian winner, Alex Thomas, was a finalist. Alex's award project focused on work health and safety on the farm—an important and highly relevant topic.

I will not go over the many contributions that we have heard in this place today, but I will name a few of the women with whom I work, having been bestowed the honour of the position of Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. There are many women whom I might forget, but some with whom I work make a significant contribution.

They include Caroline Rhodes from the GPSA, who has a rich history of leadership in her roles within the grains industry; Susie Green from the South Australian Apple and Pear Association; and Margaret Howie from Women in Agriculture. Everyone has talked about Fiona Simson, whom I have met many times and worked very closely with. Particularly in relation to South Australia's vision and the future of agriculture here, we share a lot of opinions as well as targets that we would like to see achieved within agriculture.

There is also Linda Sewell, CEO of OneFortyOne Plantations, down in the Green Triangle at Mount Gambier. Heather Miller, Chair of the South Australian Wild Dog Advisory Group, is doing some great work. Dr Carolyn Ireland is the Chair of the Dog Fence board. Judy Ingerson, President of Women in Horticulture is a great Riverlander and a great advocate for women in horticulture. Amy Williams, EO of the Horticulture Coalition, is doing great work overseeing a lot of the horticulture sectors that all come under one banner.

Qifeng Ye is a fish ecologist doing some really good work within the fish sector. Celia Dickason is a veterinarian and disease surveillance expert doing some very good work within the vet world. Penny Schulz is a farm ag consultant and teacher whose work is absolutely outstanding. She is a great South Australian in the ag sector. Many of us would know Kris Lloyd, an award-winning cheesemaker from Woodside Cheese. She is also an entrepreneur, travelling the world judging cheese—not a bad gig, I say.

Robbie Davis, CEO of Potatoes SA, is doing a great job representing a huge industry in South Australia where 80 per cent of Australia's fresh potatoes are grown. The majority of that 80 per cent are grown in my electorate of Chaffey, which is great to see. Pat Hamilton, a communicator within ag services, is doing a great job. Katherine Maitland is a boutique food producer, concocting some really amazing new styles of food. Kelly Hill, a molecular biologist, is also a great part of the sector.

Of course, Maggie Beer is one of the great food ambassadors and is a really prominent South Australian in the food world doing an outstanding job not only promoting her own brand but being an ambassador for South Australia. Margaret Lehmann is another Barossa identity within the wine industry. Once upon a time, wherever you saw Peter Lehmann you saw Marg. Sadly, we have lost Peter, but Marg continues on. Wendy Fennell is a company owner and business leader within the forestry sector, and she is going to head up my forestry advisory council. She is an outstanding contributor within forestry.

There are two women in leadership roles in agriculture I particularly want to acknowledge, and they are two of my mentors. The member for Finniss mentioned Senator Anne Ruston, previously assistant minister for agriculture and water resources. Anne is widely known as an identity in South Australia not only for her political prowess but for her skills within horticulture, holding one of the largest rose collections in the Southern Hemisphere, in Renmark. Ruston's Rose Garden has been an outstanding success.

Anne has moved on, and the rose garden has now been sold, but she continues her advocacy as a Senator for South Australia and as a mentor to me. When I came into politics, she gave me guidance, comfort, surety and confidence to move forward not only in politics but in life generally. Of course, I could not forget to mention the Attorney-General and Deputy Premier, Vickie Chapman. She has been an outstanding mentor to me over my short political career. She is a genuine South Australian who has a passion for agriculture, working on a farm bestowed by her family. It is still currently a working farm.

The nous, guidance and mentoring that she has given me not only in this house but over a glass of wine or a meal have been invaluable. To be the first female Deputy Premier and Attorney-General is a great honour, but it also comes at a great cost. Vickie's life has been dedicated to the cause of South Australia, so I commend her for the great work she has done. Without further ado, I commend the motion to the house, and I imagine that every person in this chamber would think that this is an outstanding motion.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light) (12:19): I will make a few comments in support of this motion. I would particularly like to highlight the experience of migrant women in regional South Australia and in agriculture. In addition to the challenges often faced by many women in trying to balance a family and work on farms and in business, over the years—less so today, but certainly in the early days—migrant women have had additional barriers of language, culture and often isolation.

Migrant women have done it very tough in regional areas, finding a place for themselves but, that said, they have done it very successfully. From my recent visit to the Riverland and other places, I note that in the South-East and the Riverland, in particular, many migrant women have gone on to great things. Their children have also gone on to great things, and that is because of the hard work the migrant women have put in. Their story is often not told, and it is very important that we acknowledge, on the record, the contribution made by these women. As I said, they had the usual hardships faced by women, but they also had the additional ones around language and culture.

I would also like to praise the organisations in regional South Australia for the important role they play, particularly the Country Women's Association. I work with them regularly in my own town of Gawler, and it is one of the few service organisations that has actually undergone a bit of a renaissance. Most service organisations have an ageing membership, a declining membership, but when you look at the Country Women's Association their numbers have increased quite dramatically.

They have now adapted to the modern world and have both night clubs and day clubs, acknowledging that women play different roles in society and that therefore their capacity to participate is different. That is something a lot of other service organisations could learn from the Country Women's Association; some continue to do things the way they have the last 50 or 60 years, but the CWA has changed with the times.

They are a very successful group and they play an important role not only in supporting women but also in supporting families. In Gawler, they work to fundraise and send money to support families not only for drought relief but also for other important projects, making sure that young people in country areas get a fair go. With those few comments, I support the motion and acknowledge the huge contribution that migrant women make to this sector as well as the role that voluntary groups such as the CWA play.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (12:21): I rise today to support the motion:

That this house—

(a) raises awareness of the important role women play in agribusiness and in regional South Australia, especially in leadership roles;

(b) notes that women are occupying an increasing number of diverse roles in agribusiness; and

(c) recognises that South Australia continues to encourage more women to pursue careers in agriculture and horticulture as the world’s growing demand for our food continues to rise.

As emergency services minister, I would like to use this opportunity extend our gratitude for the efforts of women in the emergency services sector who live in regional areas of South Australia. Living in the regions, there is a diverse range of tasks that people are called upon to perform in the agribusiness world, and a lot of members in this place have spoken about the wonderful work women do on the land and within agribusiness.

Again, as emergency services minister I would like to acknowledge a few people who work in this space in the regions of South Australia. The South Australian Country Fire Service is lucky to have a diverse group of women of all ages and backgrounds contributing to keeping our state safe from bushfires. Women make up 21 per cent of the CFS volunteer workforce, and there are nearly 3,000 women volunteers. That is outstanding.

Of 10,328 volunteer firefighters 1,343, or 13 per cent, are female. There are 19 female brigade captains and women in other leadership positions, three out of six assistant chief officers are women, and of the CFS's 170-strong paid workforce 78, or 46 per cent, are women. Women are able to get involved in all aspects of the CFS, including firefighting, radio operations, catering, administration support, operational support, community education and fundraising. There is a diverse range of tasks within the Country Fire Service, and women do an outstanding job in all those areas.

I would like to shine the spotlight on a few remarkable women working as part of the CFS today. Michelle Mason, captain of the Greenock brigade, started with Greenock CFS 14 years ago as a radio operator, but it was not long before she found herself on the back of a truck. She was elected brigade captain just over two years ago. During the Pinery fire, Michelle helped set up a safe haven and catering for several hundred people out of the Greenock CFS station.

Michelle says, 'The thing I love the most about the CFS is the sense of camaraderie and knowing that someone's always got your back. A lot of people say they couldn't do what we do, but I think that's just fear of the unknown. I just joined to help out on the radio, and look at me now.' Certainly look at her now: what a wonderful job she is doing there for sure.

Ellen Painter is a volunteer firefighter with the Eden Hills brigade. Ellen has found her time with the CFS extremely rewarding, so much so that she has changed career paths. Although Ellen trained as a hairdresser, at the start of the year she started in her new job as a fire technician. Her firefighting skills and CFS experience helped her secure a job servicing fire equipment with a private company, which she says is really enjoyable so far.

June Andrew, a brigade captain and one of the founding members of the Marree CFS, over the years has helped out with administration for the brigade, as well as responding to varied incidents such as vehicle accidents, house fires and search and rescue operations. When she is not being kept busy with the CFS, June is also a remote area nurse with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr Deputy Speaker, I am not telling you anything you do not know here, but what wonderful people we have in our regions and our community, and what wonderful women we have on display here.

Charmain Altus joined the Lameroo brigade 14 years ago to help out with their communication operations. During her time with the Country Fire Service, Charmain has been administrative coordinator and auxiliary coordinator for Lameroo brigade, as well as administrative coordinator for the whole Mallee group, an absolutely outstanding achievement there as well. Charmain says, 'Being a volunteer is very rewarding and, like anything, you get out what you put in. Being in the CFS has enabled me to meet some wonderful people and make new friendships, as well as learn lots of new skills.'

The CFS also offer their award-winning Firey Women Workshop. These workshops provide women with a safe, non-threatening setting to learn new skills to protect families and livelihoods from bushfires. Sue Mickan joined the CFS 40 years ago, and since then has held a number of volunteer and staff roles within the organisation. At the moment, she is volunteering with the Coorong group as a purchasing officer and has been working as a community engagement officer for the Murraylands and Riverland since 2013. This role sees her reaching out to the public across the region to share information and advice on bushfire preparedness and safety, a very valuable role.

Sue is humbled by the effect her work has on residents who have been impacted by fire, especially through her running of the Fiery Women Workshop. The Fiery Women program started in 2005, after the Wangary fires, when women found they were left at home without their partners, who were either fighting a fire on their farm or working as part of the CFS. Workshops take place across the state during the winter months, and the CFS go absolutely anywhere with these workshops: no town is too small. Sue was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal in 2012 for her many years of distinguished service with the CFS.

Yvette Dowling, or Pixie as she is known, started with the CFS in 1996 as a volunteer firefighter with the Happy Valley brigade. She joined the staffed workforce in 2000 and has worked her way up to her current position of operational systems manager. In this role Yvette (or Pixie) developed a new information management system called CRIIMSON, which provides real-time incident information, which is then disseminated to SA communities quickly and efficiently.

Yvette was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal in 2006 for her contribution to emergency services and, in particular, the development of the CRIIMSON system. I would like to thank these women for their service and all the woman who contribute to the CFS. We know that our regions are vitally important, and we know that women play a very significant role. They have made an invaluable contribution to protecting our state and its regions. We thank them for it, and they are a very big part of our agribusiness and regional life.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (12:29): I thank all members for their contributions and indications of support for this motion. It fills me with pride to know that people in the parliament recognise the importance of women in our regional areas and, in particular, their contribution to the support of the state's greatest economic driver in those regions, and the opportunities that they will have in the future.

The diversity of areas of skill, expertise and contribution that has been illuminated from these contributions is both worthy and extensive, and I commend all members for that, even our most recent contribution, of course, from the minister in relation to the support of women in fire prevention management and, if it does happen, their assistance in making sure it is put out. Most importantly, there is an the extraordinary amount of work that happens after a fire has gone through, caused damage or injury and the clean-up in the economic and personal wake that occurs.

The contribution of women has been exceptional, and there are opportunities for it to be even greater. In that regard, can I conclude by making sure that every member goes down to the CWA division at the next Royal Adelaide Show. I work on Friday mornings down there during the Royal Adelaide Show. I did threaten a former premier that I would put arsenic in his tea, but I did not do that and he is alive and kicking to see the day. I would urge all members to come down to the Royal Adelaide Show when it is on and enjoy some of the hospitality of the Country Women's Association because they are truly the backbone of our state. I commend the motion to the house.

Motion carried.

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