News
The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE (Chaffey—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (15:09): Today, I rise to speak about a recent visit to the Riverland by members of the prestigious Great Wine Capitals global network. This is a world-renowned network of wine and industry leaders. I joined network members in the Riverland, including Napa Valley president, Clay Gregory; dean of the Wine and Spirits Academy at Kedge Business School in Bordeaux, Jacques-Olivier Pesme; and the general manager of the Monverde Wine Experience Hotel, Miguel Ribeiro from Portugal.
The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE (Chaffey—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (15:23): I would like to speak about a local event in Chaffey over the weekend and also thank the member for Light for his presence up there for the unveiling of the Italian migrants statue in the main street, in Vaughan Terrace, up at Berri. It was a cold, brisk Saturday morning, but it was a really good commemoration of some of the migrants who had moved into the Riverland over many years.
The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE (Chaffey—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (15:25): It gives me great pleasure today to rise and speak about an important initiative undertaken in the Riverland community that is having a positive impact and creating future leaders in the region.
The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE (Chaffey—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (15:23): It gives me great pleasure to get up on this side of the house to speak about one of life's luxuries; that is, to get back to the home electorate of Chaffey to experience some of the great attributes the electorate presents and also, obviously, some of the homecoming.
A Marshall Liberal Government will undertake a business case and develop detailed plans for a state-of-the-art Wine and Food Centre to be established in the Riverland.
Sporting participation in the Chaffey Electorate is set for a boost with a Marshall Liberal Government, if elected, doubling the current sports voucher value from $50 to $100.
Volunteers in the Chaffey Electorate will be the beneficiaries of a policy to abolish fees payable by volunteers for Department of Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) screening, under a Marshall Liberal Government.
If elected a Marshall Liberal Government will increase the chemotherapy services provided at the Riverland General Hospital in Berri under a plan to ensure more cancer patients can receive care in the region instead of having to travel to Adelaide.
The Riverland economy will benefit from a State Liberal plan to cut the payroll tax burden for small businesses by $44.5 million a year if elected in March.
Shadow Minister for Human Services, Hon Michelle Lensink MLC, will be discussing issues in key sectors including homelessness, domestic violence, youth and disabilities during a trip to the Riverland on February 13.