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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2017-11-15 Daily Xml
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Question Time

Industrial Hemp

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (14:41): My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation. Can the minister update the chamber on how new legislation paves the way for the development of industrial hemp in South Australia?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:41): I thank the honourable member for his question. On Sunday just passed, 12 November, the Industrial Hemp Act and the associated regulatory framework came into full effect. This means that the cultivation of industrial hemp and the processing and manufacturing of industrial hemp products in South Australia can now take place, and it also allows for hemp seeds to be used as a food and a food ingredient in South Australia.

I particularly recognise the Hon. Tammy Franks and all the work she has done in the development of the Industrial Hemp Act. She has long been a champion of this industry. Indeed, it was the Hon. Tammy Franks who originally introduced the bill into this place and who has worked very hard in the spirit of cooperation to help develop the regulatory regime that would work in South Australia.

I also know that the Hon. Kelly Vincent has been a great supporter in this area of industrial hemp and food, and I am sure, now that hemp products—hemp seeds and hemp oil—can be used in food products, that they will make a great addition to her very famous blueberry muffins. I am sure that, if any honourable members would like to avail themselves of her famous blueberry muffins, she will be more than willing to do a weekend of baking at some stage.

Under the regulatory framework, potential growers, processors and suppliers of hemp for industrial purposes will be required to meet certain conditions, such as being a fit and proper person and engaging their activities under licences that are issued. I know that the section in the regulatory regime borrowed heavily from other acts and regimes, particularly the act that allowed the growing of poppies. I recognise the work of the Hon. David Ridgway on that bill and on the industrial hemp regime. I know that both the Hon. Tammy Franks and the Hon. David Ridgway participated in the hemp round table that occurred earlier this year looking at possible industrial uses, and I thank them for their participation in that and their work in promoting and coming to where we are today.

There are potential economic opportunities in South Australia. It is anticipated that pretty quickly there could be a farmgate value of around $3 million a year for industrial hemp, but that will depend on how primary producers and manufacturers and processors choose to take up any opportunities that are presented. Industrial hemp is produced from plants with very low THC content—less than 1 per cent in the leaves, flowers and stems. Importantly, its consumption provides none of the psychotropic effects that higher THC-content plants would have. It has been successfully grown in other jurisdictions and around the world, mostly for fibre and seed production, and is used in a whole array of areas such as textiles, papers, ropes, fuel, oil, stockfeed, beauty products and, of course, food products.

I would also like to thank a number of people who have been heavily involved in getting to where we are today. Teresa McDowell from Hemp Hemp Hooray and Graeme Parsons from the Industrial Hemp Association of South Australia have been strong advocates for many years and I thank them for their work and their continued advocacy. Hemp Hemp Hooray is running a hemp food fair on 18 November in Mount Barker, and I am sure anyone who is in that area of the Adelaide Hills will get along to that.

There had been questions previously from the Hon. David Ridgway about trials that have been held in the past, about 20 years ago, in various areas of South Australia, and I have reported that there are further trials being conducted by SARDI in the Riverland and in the South-East. I understand there are trial sites that started last month in and around Loxton and Kybybolite, with the first sowings undertaken between 20 October and 23 October, last month. These trials aim to determine the crop's optimum sowing and growing period and the suitability of using different areas and different types of plants for optimum growth.

The government has also established an office of hemp that looks at potential uses and the industrial and economic benefits that might arise from this industry. Prior to the regulatory regime coming into force on Sunday there had been a number of inquiries from primary producers about looking to possibly include industrial hemp as part of the rotation of crops they grow, and I am sure we will see this emerging industry provide another possibility for primary producers.

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