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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-10-29 Daily Xml
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Showcase South Australia

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:15): My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Can the minister update the council on the recent Showcase SA industry briefing?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (15:16): I am delighted the honourable member has asked me this question because, of course, Showcase SA is a newly established, independent, member-based service organisation promoting economic growth for South Australia. In fact, they took over some of the functions of Brand SA and they are doing it at no cost to the taxpayers.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: I can't believe that the members opposite could find it to criticise a not-for-profit, privately owned organisation that actually goes out and promotes South Australia and shares and celebrates in the success stories—and the members opposite want to criticise. That's typical of the mob that was in government for 16 years. I was invited to attend and address the industry briefing focusing on tourism, food and wine by the co-founders Kelly Noble and Steve Testar. It was great to be able to go there and support them. Before I spoke, we heard from Sheree Sullivan of Udder Delights and Jamie Sach from Penfolds.

I think Sheree's story is an exceptional one and I just might take a moment and share it with the members. Sheree Sullivan of Udder Delights went through a whole range of evolution in her business. I won't bore members with the early details, but it came to the point where they needed to get another investor. What they have done is sold to Megmilk in Japan. They have sold 90 per cent of their business to a Japanese company.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: The members opposite ridicule South Australian businesses. They should be ashamed of themselves. The people who grow our economy—they should be ashamed of themselves. Sheree Sullivan couldn't be happier, yet most people would think if you had sold 90 per cent of your business you would only own 10 per cent—that's all she wants. She now buys more milk, pays her dairy farmers more money and sells more cheese than ever before. It is a great story and I cannot believe the members opposite want to ridicule great South Australians like Sheree Sullivan. They are a disgrace.

It was great to speak to various members of the industry in the room about everything that is going on, particularly in the tourism space and, of course, we have all of these wonderful things happening in South Australia: the Test cricket, the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant, the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge that we have just seen, the Tour Down Under, of course, the tennis that we will see at Memorial Drive, and Mad March. It is an exciting time and everyone at Showcase SA is ready to hit the ground running to let the world know what we are doing.

At the briefing, I also had the opportunity to address initiatives currently underway in growing the tourism portfolio in relation to food and wine. A great example is the development of the new experiences at cellar doors that will be marketed to international wine tourists. I can't wait to see the new experience as it develops through the Growing Wine Tourism program, which is the great work of Wine Australia. It was a pleasure to be at this event to see the private sector step up and promote South Australia, and I wish Showcase SA every success in the future.

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