Food Waste

I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations a question on the topic of food waste.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: The state and local governments in collaboration began a food waste pilot in 2008, with a 12-month trial taking place over 2009-10, and Port Adelaide Enfield council is one of the areas that has extended past this time to make the service available to all its residents. The local government sector is very supportive of this experience and has stated that there has been 'a 170-tonne drop in waste going to landfill since the council commenced this program'. My questions are:

1. Does the minister support this program and its extension?

2. Has he had any discussions with the LGA or Zero Waste SA to increase the delivery of this service?

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for Gambling) (14:31): I am not able to recall any instance of the issue being raised with me by the LGA or Zero Waste, but I will check whether or not any correspondence in relation to it has been received. I cannot recall offhand, but obviously I will check the records in relation to that. Certainly, it is a good thing when food is not put to waste and instead can be used and not sent to landfill. I know that the government has been supportive in the past of measures to ensure that donated food, for example, is able to go to people in need rather than become waste. In relation to the program, I will check whether any correspondence has been received.