Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to highlight the magnificent food and wine that comes from the many growers and producers throughout my electorate of Farrer. I know my colleagues are keen to come to the very first Farrer Food Fair being staged here in Parliament House this week.

As many of you know already, Farrer is very much the home of the Murray-Darling Basin. From small to big businesses and exporters, we grow rice, grapes, cotton and cereals, through to dairy, wool, fat lambs and cattle. We also have important value adding in citrus, winegrapes, nuts and vegetables. Just to whet your appetite, on the way to the 'bush capital' this Wednesday are Sunrise Sushi, Riverina Rissoles, home-made pork pies and haggis. And we are showcasing Griffith, which produces one in every four glasses of Australian wine and a beautiful Murrumbidgee blood orange juice.

Just how important the basin is to the Australian economy was reflected in recent figures which showed that agricultural growth across the nation surged by over 27 per cent last year. Announced today by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority was their decision to locate one of three new regional offices to my home town of Albury-Wodonga, one of many vibrant, innovative basin communities.

Once again, everyone is welcome to toast and taste our success this coming Wednesday in the Reps courtyard.