Mrs BAILEY(10.35 p.m.) —I think we will get a little bit of sanity back into the adjournment debate tonight after that disgraceful outburst that we just heard.

I rise tonight in order to highlight one of the many important areas of commerce in the McEwen electorate—namely, the wine industry. The importance of this industry can be shown in many ways. Firstly, the growth in the industry itself in Victoria has seen it advance in prestige to rival many famous Australian interstate and, indeed, overseas wineries. I am privileged to be the member representing an area which can boast such wine growing regions—Mr Speaker, I know that you would be aware of these regions—as Mansfield, with the Delatite Winery; Nagambie, with Chateau Tabilk, Plunkett's and Mitchelton wineries; and the Yarra Valley, synonymous for names such as Tarrawarra, Yarra Ridge, Fergussons, De Bortoli and Long Gully, to name but a few.

I must add that it is not simply a record for wine production that makes these wineries such a welcome addition to the McEwen electorate. With the first production of vines in the Yarra Valley being recorded in the 1840s, Victoria now produces its fair share of a national wine export market worth around $500 million. The growth in the wine industry in smaller towns such as St Andrews, Northwood, Avenel and Dixons Creek have supported growth not only in the national economy but also in the local districts through associated industries such as travel, tourism and hospitality.

Secondly, the quality of wines has seen them being rewarded recognition not only here in Australia but overseas as well. Once-small wineries have made a name for themselves in the industry and are attracting attention from larger corporations. Modest wineries have now grown into medium sized companies, with further expansion in the industry promising further growth.

The Hon. Pat McNamara, the Deputy Premier of Victoria, in opening the `Opportunities for vineyard development in Victoria's high country' seminar stated:

Victoria is well placed to enter all segments of the wine export market. We have large tracts of suitable land, plentiful supplies of good quality water and a reputation for producing a diverse range of wine styles.

The value of the wine industry in Victoria should not be underestimated. With growth in the next 12 years, Victoria aims to secure approximately 30 per cent of the national export market. In this goal, the Victorian Wine Industry Association estimates that production across the state should expand by up to 700 hectares of planting each year for the next 10 years. Growth such as this is essential in bringing jobs back to the rural communities, many of which suffered so badly under the previous 13 years of Labor government. This government, the Howard government, is working very hard to secure our rural and regional communities, and we encourage small business and industry to take advantage of all that is offered.

The growth in the wine industry in Australia has specifically opened up new opportunities to jobseekers from a wide range of fields. From seasonal employment around the time of harvest to positions for experts in the fields of viticulture and winemaking, the increase in the number of vines being planted, tourism and marketing initiatives and value adding processes in the wineries have enabled the industries to employ many additional employees.

In a report from the Wineries Tourism Council it was stated that wineries are a major drawcard for visitors to regional Victoria. Their research showed that more than 53 per cent of people visiting wineries indicated that their visit to that particular region was prompted by a trip to a winery. This kind of tourism entices visitors to stay not just a few hours but a number of days. For example, one of the places they love to visit is the De Bortoli winery and restaurant, which recently won the prestigious Jimmy Watson trophy. Their late picked wine, bearing the simple label of `Noble One' has won international awards beating comparable French wines hands down.

In addition to the benefits to the wineries of having an increase in cellar door visits and sales, tourists are keen to stay for a few nights to provide an additional boost to the local economy. The Wineries Tourism Council has estimated this increase will continue. (Time expired)