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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-06-18 Daily Xml
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FOOD AND WINE INDUSTRY

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:17): I seek leave to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries a question about premium food and wine.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: The government is committed to growing the reputation of South Australia's premium food and wine industries through the premium food and wine from our clean environment strategic priority. This priority is one of seven priorities the government has to ensure the state is dynamic, vibrant, productive, inclusive and safe into the future. My question is: can the minister update the chamber on recent developments as part of this strategic priority?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:18): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. The state government is focused on continuing to grow our premium food and wine sectors. The government's premium food and wine from our clean environment strategic priority seeks to grow our reputation as being renowned as a producer of premium food and wine from a clean environment, clean air and clean soil.

Following on from a very successful premium food and wine community discussion at the Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend, I was very pleased to join the Premier and the Minister for Tourism in hosting a second community discussion at Leconfield Wines in McLaren Vale, as part of the Sea & Vines Festival.

These community discussions are all about celebrating South Australia's great produce and the outstanding, clean environment that it comes from. It also provides an opportunity for the government to hear from successful local identities. I was pleased to be joined in the discussion by three passionate locals: Mike Brown from Gemtree Vineyards, a passionate champion of the McLaren Vale brand; Nigel Rich, chef and owner of the Elbow Room; and Emily Jenke, owner and operator of the award-winning Talinga Grove, specialising in olives and olive oil products. The topics discussed on the day included what industry views are—

The Hon. R.L. Brokenshire interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I can't hear myself think, Robert—on how we identify the words 'premium' and 'clean' and how industry and government can work together to increase the understanding of this important priority. As part of the government's commitment to growing our food and wine sectors, we also discussed the $6.1 million in new funding announced in the budget designed to help our food and wine industries capitalise on the global demand of our premium products.

McLaren Vale is not just about wine: it is also renowned for its food and agriculture, with olives, olive oil, cheese and almonds being very sought after products. The region is also home to South Australia's first farmers market, the Willunga Farmers Market, which is a real drawcard for locals and tourists alike. It is a fabulous market.

Vibrant food and wine industries help grow our regions and are a significant player in South Australia's economy. These regions are viewed by the state government as vital to our continued prosperity, and I would like to thank Dr Richard Hamilton and the rest of the staff at Leconfield for being such wonderful hosts to our government's community discussion. It was a beautiful backdrop, and it is a wonderful operation out there.

In addition to the premium food and wine community discussions that will be held across the state, I was pleased to recently launch the next stage of the government's premium food and wine from a clean environment priority, that is, our premium food and wine ambassadors. The ambassador program is an honorary program and is all about spreading the word about South Australia's superb produce which comes from our clean air, clean soil and clean water in order to make the most of our opportunities.

Learning about something from someone you know and someone who has a lot of credibility in the industry is a very powerful communication tool, and it is my belief that a third-party endorsement by prominent South Australians will enhance our premium food and wine from a clean environment priority and add to its credibility. Some outstanding South Australians who are trusted, respected and admired have agreed to be part of this program. They are well known for their achievements in the food, wine and beer industries.

Their work is recognised with affection and admiration around South Australia, Australia and, in some cases, around the globe, as a number of these people operate internationally. They work hard to promote our food, our wine and our beer and the state that it comes from. The premium food and wine from a clean environment ambassadors program simply formalises what these people already do and live and breathe and the message of just how good South Australia's produce is and the environment it comes from.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 16 ambassadors who have agreed to take part in this program so far and who have helped to spread the word about this state's premium food and wine from a clean environment.

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