Keith Pitt (Hinkler, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Minister, as a fellow Queenslander—and I am certain you will be watching a particular game of rugby league tomorrow night and supporting the right side and the right team indeed!—you are no doubt aware that my electorate of Hinkler is a diverse electorate and a shining example of Queensland ingenuity and determination. Like many of our neighbouring Queensland electorates, we have made the full use of the natural blessings of our region. As a result, we have strong and vibrant businesses operating in food and agribusiness, mining and advanced manufacturing services. I know the minister is aware of some of these organisations and companies, but I would like to give him a brief review of what is going on in my electorate.

I am sure that the minister is aware of the announcement by Knauf Australia to build an advanced manufacturing plant at the Bundaberg Port, but he may not be aware that the development approval actually came from Gladstone Ports Corporation in recent weeks. This is a fantastic announcement: some $70 million worth of investment that will create at least 60 to 70 long-term jobs and some 200 jobs in the construction of this facility.

We have organisations like Bundaberg Walkers Engineering Ltd. I am sure the minister is aware that it is struggling with high electricity prices. It is a real concern for them. There is also Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, the 2013 Queensland Exporter of the Year.

But there are a number of horticultural producers and manufacturers, which the minister may well not be aware of—organisations like Austchilli. Austchilli started from a concept by a cane farmer by the name of David De Paoli. Mr De Paoli now runs an organisation that grows eight different varieties of chillies that are hand-picked every day to ensure year-round supply for consumers. Since 1995, they have field tested over 200 varieties of chillies from all over the world to find the best on the basis of flavour, heat, colour, yield and consistency.

As well as growing chillies, they grow a wide variety of herbs that they value-add to and manufacture a range of products from, including a new product called AvoFresh made from avocados—so successful, Minister, that they cannot actually source enough raw product to meet demand. They export fresh and packaged food to 10 overseas markets. Their products were also featured recently on the hit reality show, My Kitchen Rules. They are a fabulous provider—the hero of the dish, I have been told!

Farmfresh Fine Foods is another second-generation family company operating with Australian food technology. They manufacture; they supply chargrilled and roasted vegetables to the domestic and international food service industry, including airlines, global fast food chains and cafe and restaurant chains—unlike the 'Made in France' products that I saw on the flight this week, which were very disappointing.

Urangan Fisheries process professionally and export a wide variety of fresh and frozen seafood, including the world-renowned Hervey Bay scallops, which I am sure everyone in the room has heard of—I am sure you have, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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