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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-12-05 Daily Xml
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Wine Industry

Mr TEAGUE (Heysen) (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister update the house on how the state government is working with the wine industry to deliver key projects?

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE (Chaffey—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (14:45): Yes, I can. I thank the member for Heysen for his very important question. We know how important the wine industry is to the South Australian economy and particularly to the member's wineries in his electorate: Geoff Hardy wines and Deviation Road.

I know that Richard Dolan from Wines by Geoff Hardy, and Hamish and Kate Laurie from Deviation Road are extremely passionate about their wine businesses, and rightfully so. In fact, I have just written to Shane Harris, the winemaker at Geoff Hardy's, who has just been announced as the 2018 Winestate Magazine Winemaker of the Year for the second year in six years—so an outstanding achievement by another winemaker here in South Australia.

In South Australia, we have a unique agreement between the state government and the wine industry under the Primary Industry Funding Schemes Act, and I am pleased to announce that I have recently signed off on $300,000 from the Clare Valley wine industry fund towards key projects to grow that local industry. The Clare Valley Wine and Grape Association is the peak representative body for Clare Valley winemakers and grapegrowers, and it is recognised as the body that best represents the industry in that region.

The funds will be used to promote regional wine brands and tourism, to undertake regional projects, to carry out work to determine additional vineyard capacity and the long-term water supply for the region. Contributions paid into the wine industry funds by industry participants are invested into activities that will help the local wine industry. That wine industry fund supports profitability and sustainability of our $2.35 billion wine industry here in South Australia.

South Australia's wine industry is an outstanding success complemented by the Clare Valley region. There are a number of projects and the Clare Valley Wine and Grape Association are using those contributions to develop the region's wine and grape strategic plan; a regional wine tourism industry that involves promoting more fresh air from Clare; international tourism for the Clare Valley, particularly into the Asian markets; long-term water supply options; a feasibility study; establish a regional database of vineyards; develop a series of promotional videos, featuring the Clare Valley and its wine varieties; and, of course, create a red wine cellar-door marketing toolkit, including the products that come from the Clare.

Also on Saturday, I was a guest of the Pike winery. I note that the member for Frome has worked very closely with the Pike family and their recent expansion into their facility. It is an outstanding success story: a family wine business that is doing a remarkable job. I was there to open up the Pike's tasting room. Particularly, the Slate Restaurant is an outstanding destination for anyone who is looking to go out into the regions and enjoy great wine and great food. I know that Max the chef has been imported from Mona in Tasmania. He is a renowned chef who does outstanding food that I can thoroughly recommend.

I also want to pay tribute to Andrew and Cathy Pike. Their success story is almost second to none in the wine industry. Andrew's brother, Neil, is the winemaker; his son, Jamie, is the marketing executive; and Alister Pike is the head brewer of a really good beer. What I would say is that this responsible government will continue to work closely with the wine industry in our regions to make sure that we can grow that industry and produce better, bigger wines that represent South Australia globally.

The Hon. A. Piccolo: No hashtag?

The SPEAKER: The member for Light is warned. The deputy leader has the call.

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