Regional South Australia

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (15:31): Today I wish to speak about our regions. Over the winter parliamentary recess I have had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time in South Australian regions, including visits to the Lower South-East, Yorke Peninsula, Mid South-East and Murray Mallee to meet with those involved in primary industry, local mayors and councillors, and business and community leaders. I have been impressed not only with the dedication and resourcefulness being shown by many but also the level of optimism and commitment to long-term planning for the future.

Many members in this place would understand just how important the Yorke Peninsula is to us though. Its climate makes it an extremely high quality grain producing region. In the past, this region's farmers have been synonymous with growing some of the best malt barley in the world, and while this continues to be the case, many farmers are now growing a wide range of crops, including bread wheats, canola, faba beans and various types of lentils.

I had the distinct pleasure of attending the Agricultural Bureau of South Australia's annual dinner and field trip on 14 and 15 August, which coincided with the bureau's annual general meeting of members from right across the state. I would like to thank Richard Murdoch and the agricultural bureau chair, Mark Grossman, for their invitation and very kind hosting of me. The bureau's annual field trip was an excellent opportunity to visit some of the regions successful farming enterprises and to meet with primary producers to discuss current and future plans, challenges and, in particular, to learn of the many innovative practices being adopted to maximise efficiency in crop yields.

For example, the Collins' family farm provided a good insight into the changing nature of farm storage and how this can maximise farmers' returns on investment by delaying the need to deliver their product to market immediately. In the Collins' case they store lentils for a period to maximise the price they can sell the product for. In addition, they shared their experiences this season with pests such as snails.

The need for farmers to continue to improve their business skills and understanding was emphasised here. Peter Farrow is a fourth generation farmer whose family operates a farm at Wool Bay. He provided bureau members and me with a good opportunity to discuss the merits and challenges that genetically modified seed present to broadacre farmers in South Australia. He also demonstrated machinery he has modified or built specifically to suit his needs and conditions.

Ben Wundersitz's business, Anna Binna enterprise, has been steadily growing and employing best practice farming methods. In particular, Ben and his team have been involved with the farm at the Aboriginal community of Point Pearce, significantly investing in land upgrades and new infrastructure and, importantly, providing employment opportunities for the Point Pearce community. I also visited the Point Pearce Aboriginal community and was encouraged to see firsthand the significant improvements and increased opportunities available, not just at the Point Pearce farm but in the community generally.

There is a significant level of optimism about the future right across the peninsula. It is expecting a bumper crop this year, with yield per hectare crop production expected to be 2.85 tonnes. This is up significantly on the 10-year average of 2.3 tonnes per hectare. A new mine is planned just outside of Ardrossan and, whilst this was a topic of much conversation, and while there is certainly some opposition, a significant part of the community is looking forward to the economic opportunities it will bring.

The future is looking good for the next generation of those on the peninsula involved in agriculture. One such person I met was Renee Farrow, the 2011 recipient of the Lois Harris Scholarship, who, as part of her agricultural studies, has spent time in many different parts of the world, adding to her experience and learning world's best practice. She has accomplished all this in addition to driving B-doubles of grain from the farm to the port.

I also had the opportunity to visit the impressive new offices of the Yorke Peninsula Country Times and meet with the managing editor Michael Ellis and the enthusiastic news editor Amie Price. In my work in country areas I keep coming across daughters of members of this council, and often I am significantly more impressed with the daughters of members here than with their fathers. This paper, the Yorke Peninsula Country Times, has served the community since 1865, when it was established in Wallaroo, and continues to serve the people and the business community today. As with many country areas, the local paper is an integral and trusted part of the community.

Country shows have long been synonymous with regional South Australia. Attending the Kadina show was a highlight of my time on the Yorke Peninsula. The Kadina show was established in 1871 and is one of the longest running shows in the state. The show had something for everyone, and it was a pleasure to meet with the team of Community Radio Gulf FM, who were doing a great job broadcasting live. It was fantastic to see the important work being undertaken in the regions, and I congratulate all those involved in the Agricultural Bureau and the Kadina show and look forward to catching up with the secretary of the show society next time I am in the area.