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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-09-28 Daily Xml
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Plant Protein

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:10): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries about plant protein.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: It was reported in the Stock Journal on Thursday 14 September that the plans to develop a plant protein facility, capable of producing 25,000 tonnes per year of high-value plant protein extract in South Australia, are under threat due to the cancellation of federal government funding to the tune of $113 million. A South Australian government spokesperson has said, and I quote:

The Government of South Australia recognises the growing global demand for high-quality plant protein and the local jobs and export boost this industry can create.

It has now been reported in the past that three manufacturing sites were part of this project: one in the northern metropolitan suburbs and two in the regions. This proposal was intended to be a major job creator for the regions. My questions to the minister are:

1. As the Minister for Primary Industries, what has she done to advocate for the plant protein proposal to her federal colleagues since coming to government?

2. Will the state government indicate to this chamber what plans the state government is now considering for its $65 million pledge to this project that was originally allocated?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:12): I thank the honourable member for her question. It's certainly true that South Australia is well placed to lead the expansion of the plant-based protein sector as it produces a wide variety of cereals, pulses and other crops, such as hemp, that are considered to be good sources of plant protein.

In my recent visit with the industry delegation to the Netherlands, Belgium and France about six weeks ago, one of the things that we were looking at was a wide variety of aspects in regard to plant protein and the opportunities that are available as this becomes more and more popular and prevalent around the world.

PIRSA's SARDI has developed a program of research to support the South Australian grains industry to meet its 2030 vision to position South Australia as a global leader in plant-based food research. The plant-based protein program is underpinned by two key projects: foundational research for a new pulse protein industry and a plant-based food incubator.

The aims of these two projects are to develop new high-protein ingredients from pulses and grains, to understand opportunities for genetic improvement and agronomic management of high-protein pulse crops in South Australia, and to provide research and development infrastructure to support the development of plant-based foods.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I am sorry that those opposite ask about plant-based protein—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —and then are not interested enough to actually listen to the answer—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —about plant-based protein. The member opposite said what a great opportunity this was and yet they are not willing to sit and listen for a couple of minutes to the opportunities and the actions that are being taken.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. N.J. Centofanti interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order, leader! That's enough! Finish, please.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Thank you, Mr President.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order, Attorney!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: The plant-based protein program has delivered across the value chain in the following ways: agronomic management strategies for growers to target pulse grain for specific pulse protein markets. One of the things that we discovered when we were overseas, or certainly that I learnt more about, was the difference in the markets in terms of what they are seeking from specific pulse proteins.

The program has also delivered tools to identify new high-protein variants of common pulse species such as fava bean, and increased genetic gain in pulse breeding for grain protein content or protein compositional profile, and also methods for dry fractionating pulse grain to provide protein-rich products for the food and the feed industries. It has also delivered new opportunities for food manufacturers to use high-protein ingredients in new products and value add to existing products.

A further outcome has been new end uses for pulse grains, providing new economic opportunities as well as risk management strategies for growers. Clearly, we are keen that in taking up new opportunities the risks are well understood, and assistance to provide risk management strategies is incredibly important. Establishing a plant-based protein manufacturing sector in South Australia—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Hunter, the Hon. Ms Girolamo and the honourable Leader of the Opposition, enough! Conclude your answer, please, minister.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Please conclude your remarks.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Thank you, and I certainly am keen to conclude my remarks except for the frequent and ongoing numerous interjections from those opposite who clearly don't really have an interest in this topic. Clearly, they are not really interested in finding out about plant protein. They just want to listen to the sound of their own voices. Look at them now.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: We can't get on with answering the question because of those shouting—

The PRESIDENT: Minister, if you have nothing further to add, sit down.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Establishing—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

An honourable member: She's just getting started.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: That's right, I'm just getting started. Establishing a plant-based protein manufacturing sector in South Australia has the potential to generate $3 billion in retail sales, $1 billion in manufacturing revenue, and up to 6,000 jobs by 2030. In terms of the specific question, I will refer it to the relevant minister in the other place, and am happy to bring back an answer to the chamber.

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