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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-10-15 Daily Xml
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Rock Lobster Industry

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (14:49): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Will the minister please update the chamber about the welcome news that South Australian rock lobsters will once again be exported to China?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:49): I thank the honourable member for his question and his support of South Australian industries. It would be great if that was shared across this chamber. The news last week that the South Australian rock—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Wortley, enough.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: The news last week that South Australian rock lobster will once again be exported to China and available in Chinese restaurants and on dinner tables in China was extremely welcome. Trade restrictions on the sector have been extremely difficult for our state's fishery, which is largest in terms of gross value of production and is incredibly important to so many coastal and regional communities, particularly in the Limestone Coast where approximately 900 full-time equivalent jobs directly or indirectly in the sector depend on this industry and also right across the state, with another 200-plus workers who rely on the industry to support their employment.

At the peak of trade with China for the sector in 2015-16, the gross value of production for southern zone rock lobster totalled $131 million, while the northern zone came in at $29 million. In 2018-19, the last full year before the restrictions were in place, southern zone gross value of production was $122 million and $28 million in the northern zone. The most recent figures in 2022-23 demonstrate just how devastating the trade restrictions have been, with gross value of production in the southern zone only $71 million and $14 million in the northern zone.

Indeed, the pain that the sector was going through was evident while those opposite were still in government, which is why while we were in opposition we made an election commitment to assist the rock lobster fishery by providing a 50 per cent fee reduction in 2022-23. This in total provided $2.6 million in fee relief for the sector. I was very pleased to deliver this election commitment early in this term of government.

But we have not stopped there. We have continued to work closely with both the South Eastern Professional Fishermen's Association and the Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishermen's Association in responding to the needs of the fisheries to assist in different ways to deal with the added pressure of the trade restrictions. These have included introducing more flexible arrangements, with 12-month fishing seasons and an earlier start to the season in September instead of October designed to capitalise on important cultural times of the year where there may be better market conditions.

I was also very pleased to stand alongside the southern zone rock lobster fishery in opposing the windfarms that were slated by the federal government off the coast of Port MacDonnell. It was a huge community win that saw that proposal changed to exclude those waters and protect the waters that sustain this incredible fishery.

South Australian exports to China rose 46 per cent over the past 12 months to a record $4.27 billion. This was achieved after careful, respectful and patient discussions with our largest trading partner, both at the federal level and at the state level. The Premier has visited China during this period of time, as have I and also the Minister for Trade. That is in addition to the assistance that has been seen at the federal level with the restrictions and tariffs more broadly on other commodities removed.

This is so incredibly important for our state as we produce and make things that China wants to buy, so much of it coming from our regions, with exports sustaining jobs and opportunities across many industries, most notably of course wine and rock lobster but a range of other incredible South Australian sectors which will also benefit from the improved trade relationship with our largest trading partner.

I want to thank the federal government and in particular federal trade minister, Don Farrell, and his team for their diligent work. It has taken sustained and patient work from many people across industry, state and federal governments to be in the position that we are today, and I am pleased to have also been able to play some role in that.

After four or five years of trade restrictions, the rock lobster sector showed resilience and an ability to adapt, having diversified into many markets across the globe and at home in Australia. Nevertheless, the conditions continue to be challenging. I am sure that the industry will be in good stead moving forward, with the resumption of trade with China providing a huge boost to one of our iconic South Australian industries, and I would hope that is something all members of this chamber are very pleased about.

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