TRAVEL REPORT

Miss Vini Ciccarello MP Member for Norwood

Visit to Apulia, Italy

9 May - 17 May 2007

SUPPORT sERvIcEs OFFICE

tjOUSE OF ASSENISLY

Introduction

Apulia

Puglia, or Apulia as it is called in English, is a region in Italy which forms the southeast part of the Italian peninsula on the Adriatic and Ionian seas . It forms the heel of the Italian "boot".

The region is presently divided into six provinces :

Bari Barletta-Andria-Tram Brindisi Foggia Lecce Taranto.

Its area is 19,366 square kilometres and its most recently estimated population (2006) is 4,071,5 18 . It is the seventh largest region in Italy and the seventh most populated .

Apulia borders the Adriatic Sea in the east and the Strait of Otranto in the south . It is bordered by the other Italian regions of Molise to the north, Campania to the west and Basilicata to the southwest .

The capital of Apulia is Bari and the main industrial centre is Taranto .

The president of Apulia is Nicola Vendola who was elected in April 2005 .

Economy

Agriculture is the most important sector in terms of both employment and production, though industry continues to rapidly develop . Farm products include wheat, barley and oats which are grown on the plains and vegetables, almonds, figs, grapes and world renowned olives which are cultivated in the more fertile parts of the plateaus . Further south, tobacco is a speciality of the Lecce plain . Apulia produces one tenth of the wine drunk in Europe . The wines of Puglia are the strongest in Italy and are used to fortify other lighter varieties .

In the south of the region, the industrial sector is highly developed . The vast industrial complexes - the Taranto steel works, the Brindisi chemical plant and the Bari petrochemical works - form the highly industrialised Bari-Brindisi-Taranto triangle . Manufactured products include refined petroleum, chemicals, cement, iron and steel, processed food, plastics and wine. There is also a great emphasis on biotechnology, nanotechnology and research and development .

Services and tourism are increasingly becoming important sectors in the Puglia economy .

Migration from Puglia to South Australia

The Italians of Port Pirie have a special place in Port Pirie's history, having been there since 1886, only 15 years after Port Pirie was surveyed in 1871 .

Vito Caputi was the first Italian in Port Pirie . He came from Molfetta, a small fishing town on the Adriatic Coast of Southern Italy . Vito made his way to Port Pirie after deserting his ship in Sydney . He commenced the chain migration of the Caputos by having his three brothers join him in Port Pirie . They in turn called relatives, cousins, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, to join them .

The early immigrants were largely poor and in most cases uneducated . Many were sent to Australia as young boys in the hope that they would be able to earn money to send back to Italy so that their families could survive . It was common for two or three families to live in the same house . Single men would also board together not just to save money but also to enable them to speak Italian to each other as they found it difficult to learn English because they spent most of the year at sea fishing . Migration to Port Pirie can be divided roughly into three periods .

Between 1885 and 1914, the beginning of World War 1, the migrants were pioneers who disgruntled with Italy were seeking work. From 1920 to 1938 families began arriving to join their menfolk who had already established themselves in the new land . Post World War 11, from 1947 to 1970 was a migration boom of people leaving the upheaval caused by the war seeking a new life and wishing to join their relatives in Port Pine .

Most Molfettese fishermen struggled to earn a living, especially during the depression . The Capurso brothers, Michael and Carlo, improved their lot by moving from Port Pirie in the 1920s to Grote Street, Adelaide where they opened a fish shop and abbreviated their surname to Cappo . Today, the well known Cappo Brothers have become one of the largest seafood suppliers in Adelaide .

The Molfettese community have maintained a strong cultural and religious link with Molfetta and the Puglia region even though the community is now up to the fifth generation or more.

Through their cultural and religious organisations, the traditional Blessing of the Fleet remains one of the largest festivals in both Port Pirie and Adelaide . These links also include visits from the Parish Priest of the Sanctuary of Molfetta of South Australia .

Visit Objectives

The objectives of the visit were to :

1 .

Continue to foster a strong relationship with the Puglia government .

2 . Sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Regione Puglia and the Government of South Australia.

3 .

To promote collaboration in the areas of scientific research and development, including aquaculture and water resource management; genomics ; film and creative industries ; and the exchange of students, academics and teachers .

4 . To strengthen business links and opportunities between both communities, with a particular focus on trade relations and business investment .

5 .

To strengthen the cultural ties between both communities and to consolidate the long standing friendship that already exists .

The initiative to establish a relationship with Puglia was initially the work of the then Italian Consul for Italy in South Australia Dr.Simone de Santi .

Following his departure to take up a posting in Islamabad in January 2007 discussions were continued with the Italian Embassy in Canberra with both the Ambassador, the scientific attache' Prof Nicola Sassanelli, the Italian Consul for Italy in South Australia Dr Tomasso Coniglio and DTED.

WEDNESDAY 9 MAY 2007 - THURSDAY 17 MAY 2007

" MEETING WITH FIERA DEL LEVANTE (BARI) OFFICE

Mr Cosimo Lacerignola President Fiera del Levante (Bari) Lungomare Starita, 1 - Bari

Dott . Gianni Tursi Secretary-General Flora del Levante (Bari) Lungomare Starita, 1 - Bari

Background

":['he li iera del Levante was founded in 1930 by the Municipal Authorities, the Provincial Administration and the Chamber of Commerce of Bari . It has taken place every year with the sole exception of the Second World War from 1940) to 1946 .

Fiera del Levante is the largest trade and industry fair in Italy. It is held once a year during September. In 2007, the 71" Fiera del Levante is to be held from 8-16 September .

The fair usually promotes innovation in sectors such as construction, agribusiness, agriculture and environment . The wine and olive industries are also featured .

The fair covers approximately 350,000 square metres and is opened each year by the Italian Prime Minister .

Last year, the Fiera del Levante registered 1,070,000 visitors compared to 1,036,000 visitors in 2005 . The number of exhibitors increased to 2,026 in 2006 from 2,010 in 2005 . A total 360 delegation s from 69 countries took part in the 70th Fair, compared to 320 delegations from 65 countries in 2005 .

Meeting

South Australian participation in the Fiera Del Levante (Bari) was discussed . The organisers of the event offered to assist in the hosting of a South Australian trade and investment stand .

South Australia agreed to take a dedicated exhibition pavilion at the 71St Fiera del Levante .

The pavilion will be dedicated to showcase South Australia's capabilities . The facility is approximately 500 metres squares in total with up to 250-300 metres squared of usable trade space .

This event will provide the fantastic opportunity to showcase a range of trade and investment opportunities as well as research and development, immigration, tourism and educational capabilities .

The Delegation was then given a tour of the Fiera site where possible locations for a South Australian stand were suggested .

" MEETING WITH REGIONAL MINISTER FOR TRAINING AND EDUCATION - REGIONAL GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS

Prof. Marco Barbieri Regional Minister for Training and Education Regional Government Headquarters Lungomare N. Sauro, 33 - Bari

Mr Barbieri has been the Regional Minister for Training and Education since 2005 . He is a graduate in Law and a Professor of Labour Law at the University of Foggia. He has written many articles and papers on Labour and Trade Union Law.

Meeting

The South Australian Department for Education and Children's Services has an existing program that facilitates teacher exchanges with other international jurisdictions . Italy is currently not included in this program .

In the meeting with Dr Barbieri, a commitment was made to establish a "Teacher/Student Exchange Program" with the Regione Puglia . The commitment was to establish four or five scholarships to send South Australian secondary school students to visit Puglia. The scholarships would facilitate Italian language, culture training .

" GROUP MEETING WITH CHANCELLORS / REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNIVERSITIES OF APULIA - REGIONAL GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS

Prof. Gaetano Dammacco - Academic International Relationships of University of Bari. Universita degli studi di Bari Piazza Umberto 1 70121 Bari www.uniba .it

Prof. Oronzo Limone - Rector of University of Salento Universita degli studi del Salento Vialle Gallipoli 49 73 100 Lecce www.unile .it

Prof. ssa Rita Sarao - Head of International Relationships Area - University of Foggia Universita degli studi di Foggia Via Gramschi 89/91 71100 Foggia www.unifg .it

Prof. Umberto Galietti - Academic International Relationships of Politecnico of Bari Politecnico di Bari Via Amendola 126/13 70126 Bari www.poliba .i t

Prof. Maria Renata Dolce Universita' del Salento Lecce

Meeting

A roundtable discussion was held whereby the provisions of the MOU encouraging exchanges in scientific based research between universities and research and development institutions was discussed .

Several research areas that could be progressed were discussed, including :

" Aquaculture " Nanotechnology "

Water resource management "

Wine, olives and agriculture " Genomics .

Areas of collaboration that were discussed included :

"

Exchange of PhD students and academics "

The establishment of research and development projects that could attract funding through the EU 7th Framework

"

The establishment of summer school between SA and Puglia Universities .

The Universities were particularly impressed by the fact that Carnegie Mellon had established themselves in Adelaide and that this would provide further benefits for links with South Australia. In addition it was generally considered that it would also provide them with a springboard to Asia and China . The Politecnico of Bari which specialises in Engineering considered there would be enormous opportunities for their students on learning about our mining boom and our lack of skilled workers .

" MEETING WITH VICE PRESIDENT REGIONE PUGLIA - DEPARTMENT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

Dr Alessandro Frisullo Vice President Apulia Regional Government

Dr Frisullo was born in 1955 in Castrignano dei Greci, a small town in the south of Apulia, where he was town mayor between 1985 and 1993 .

A graduate of philosophy, he entered politics at a young age and sits on the national committee of the Left-wing Democratic Party.

He was elected Minister of the Regional Government in 1995 and then in 2005 he was nominated Vice President and Regional Councillor for Economic Development .

Meeting

The commitment of the South Australian Government to the Memorandum of Understanding was made clear .

Areas of collaboration between Puglia and South Australia were canvassed, in particular those contained within the MOU:

"

Aquaculture research and development "

Water resource management "

Wine and olive research and development, trade and investment "

Research and development in the field drought resistance wheat and wheat genomics

"

Culture - film and creative industries "

Teacher and student exchanges "

Trade and investment missions .

" VISIT TO CNR - IRSA (INSTITUTE FOR WATER RESEARCH) RESEARCH FACILITY.

Dr Antonio Lopez Head of Department, Institute for Water Research Via F. De Blasio, 5 70123 Bari

Background

The Puglia region, similar to South Australia, is the driest region in Italy and has the highest agriculture output per capita within Italy . Puglia is facing many of the water related issues being faced by South Australia today.

The National Research Council (CNR) is the official government agency in charge of the promotion, coordination and management of public research in the interest of the scientific and technological progress of the country .

CNR directly carries out research by means of its own network of 108 Institutes with a permanent staff of about 8,000 .

Since 1968, the Water Research Institute (IRSA) of CNR has played the role of the national reference research Institute for all issues concerning water and wastewater treatment, water quality, and water resources management. The Institute is organised in three sections located throughout the peninsula : Rome (headquarters, environmental and microbiological labs), Bari (waiter management and technology) and Milan (water quality and ecotoxicology) .

Visit

The challenges facing both communities were discussed as were the recent EU Projects on water . The visit and discussions proved to be an invaluable opportunity to increase our collaboration opportunities and to share knowledge of water related research and development .

Dr Lopez was very keen to establish links with South Australian research institutes .

The delegation advised Dr Lopez of the interest expressed by the Australian International Centre of Excellence for Water and Resource Management (ICE WaRM), headquartered in Adelaide to collaborate with Puglian organisations on suitable research and development projects and education services .

We also extended an invitation to representatives of the Institute of Water to meet with representatives of ICE WaRM.

" OFFICIAL DINNER WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL INDUSTRY

The dinner was hosted by the President of the Regione Puglia, the Hon. Nicola Vendola, with several Ministers present in addition to business and university representatives .

" MEETING WITH REGIONAL MINISTER FOR COOPERATION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN AND CULTURE - DEPARTMENT FOR COOPERATION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN AND CULTURE

Prof. Silvia Godelli

Regional Minister for Cooperation in the Mediterranean Basin and Culture Department for Cooperation in the Mediterranean Basin and Culture Via Gobetti - Bari

Professor Godelli is a graduate of Philosophy at the University of Bari . From 1972-1990 she was a Member of the Italian Communist Party . She is Vice-President of the Regional Government's Health Commission and is Chairman of the Apulia Film Commission.

Meeting

Future possible collaborations between the South Australian Film Corporation and the Apulia Film Commission were discussed .

The delegation brought Professor Godelli's attention to the many films and programs that had been made in South Australia and gone on to enjoy considerable international recognition . Interestingly they were already familiar with some of our films e.g Ten

Canoes, Shine, Picnic at Hanging Rock to name but a few . Several co-production opportunities with the South Australian Film Commission (SAFC) were discussed and Mr Richard Harris CEO of SAFC will be visiting them for further discussions following the Cannes Film Festival in 2008 .

Discussions took place about a Puglia Film Festival (Terra II) to be held in Adelaide during July/August 2007 .

Update - Puglia Film Festival

A delegation from Puglia attended the Puglia Film Festival in Adelaide from 31 July - 2 August 2007 . The delegation consisted of Mimmo Mongelli, movie director and art director of Terra II ; Menino Coppi, organistion manager of Terra II ; Alessandro Piva, movie director and Nicola Morisco, public relations .

The festival was held at the Palace Nova Cinema and was opened by the Premier .

The opening night film was La Casa Delle Donne (The Women's House) and was followed by a Q and A with Messrs Mongelli and Piva .

" MEETING WITH REGIONAL MINISTER FOR SOLIDARITY AND MIGRATION POLICIES - REGIONAL GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS

Dr. Elena Gentile Regional Councillor for Solidarity and Migration Policies Regional Government Headquarters Lungomare N. Sauro, 33 - Bari

Mrs Gentile is a Graduate of Medicine and is a paediatrician . She was a member of the Italian Communist Party before becoming a member of the Left-wing Democrats Party . From 1985-1986 she was Vice-Mayor of Bari and from 1986-1990 she was a Member of the Regional Council for Health, Environment, Work and Welfare . She has held her current post since 2005 .

Meeting

Many issues were discussed at the meeting with Mrs Gentile including :

"

Teacher Exchange Program "

Student Exchange Program "

Migration and skills

" SIGNING OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING - PREMIER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND PRESIDENT OF THE APULIA REGION - REGIONAL GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS

The MOU was signed in the office of the President of the Regione Puglia also Press conference for Premier Rann and President Vendola then followed .

VISIT TO NATUZZI S.p.A - BARI

Mr Ernesto Greco Chief Executive Officer Natuzzi S .p .A. Via Iazzitiello 47 Santeramo in Colle - Bari

Mr Greco holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master in Business Administration . He has developed his career in various areas within multinational companies such as Montedison, Hewlettt-Packard, Wang Laboratories . Before his appointment in Natuzzi (which he has held since 2006), he was the Chief Financial Officer of Bulgari, world leader in the luxury goods business .

Background

Natuzzi S .p .A was founded in 1959 by Pasquale Natuzzi . The company designs and manufactures a broad collection of leather-upholstered residential furniture .

Natuzzi is Italy's largest furniture manufacturer and the global leader in the leather segment, exporting its innovative, high-quality sofas and armchairs to 123 markets on 5 continents .

Natuzzi S .p .A was listed on the New York Stock Exchange on May 13, 1993 .

Natuzzi and South Australia

Natuzzi has two stores in Adelaide - Rundle Street, Adelaide and the Parade, Norwood.

Natuzzi also holds naming rights for the Natuzzi Food & Wine Festival in Norwood.

In addition, in November 2006, Natuzzi became a sponsor of the 2007 Adelaide Film Festival becoming the naming rights sponsor of the Natuzzi International Award for Best Feature Film . This allowed the Festival to establish Australia's first and only cash prize for a feature film (AUD$25,000).

Meeting

The relationship between Natuzzi and South Australia was discussed and all parties agreed that it was a relationship which was good and prosperous .

Discussions also centred around Natuzzi's continuing sponsorship of the Best Feature Film Award for the Adelaide Film Festival in 2009 and 2011 .

Lecce

" VISIT TO LACHIFARMA S.R.L - HEADQUARTERS

info@lachifarma.com www.lachifarma .com Tel: +39.0836.600661

Dr Felicia Cisale President of the Board Lachifarma SRL S .S . 16 Zona Industriale 73010 Lecce

Dr Luciano Villanova Technical Manager and Member of Board Lachifarma SRL S .S . 16 Zona Industriale 73010 Lecce

Dr Gianluca Fasiello Quality Assurance Lachifarma SRL S .S . 16 Zona Industriale 73010 Lecce

Dr Alessandro Merendino Quality and R&D Director Lachifarma SRL S.S . 16 Zona Industriale 73010 Lecce

Dr Gabrielle Onorato Financial Director and Member of Board Lachifarma SRL S .S . 16 Zona Industriale 73010 Lecce

Background

Lachifarma was founded in 1985 by Dr Luigi Villanova . It is a SME pharmaceutical company manufacturing generic and branded pharmaceuticals, EC medical devices, dietary supplements and beauty products . Lachifarma's ACT therapy (malarial drug) is on the compliance list of the Global Fund. Almost 50% of the staff has a university

12

degree and the company invests 15% of its turnover in Research and Development . The focus of this R & D is to look at local, renewable plant resources .

Lachifarma also has an international patent (registered also in Australia) entitled "Treatment and Valorisation of Olive Mill Waste Water" from which Lachifarma obtains hydroxytyrosol, a powerful anti oxidant product and angiogenesis modulant, with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities .

Meeting

Lachifanna gave two presentations to the delegation .

The first was on their international patent concerning olive mill waste water and the second was of their proprietary knowledge regarding the treatment of skin pathology .

Discussions centred around an evaluation of co-operation issues, particularly in the field of -

"

Technology transfer to South Australia of Lachifarma's technology regarding "Treatment and Valorisation of Olive Mill Waste Water"

"

Development of new pharmaceutical products for treating skin pathology such as melanoma .

The latter obviously is very relevant to Australia, as melanoma has its major incidence here, more than any other part of the world .

Lachifarma expressed an interest in establishing a joint-venture or investment in South Australia and Dr Merendino stated his intention to visit South Australia in the near future .

" VISIT TO MELPIGNANO RE ̀ LA NOTTE DELLA TARANTA'

Dr Sergio Blasi Mayor of Melpignano

The delegation met with the Mayor of Melpignano, Sergio Blasi to discuss the possible visit to South Australia of ̀ La Notte della Taranta' a folk music and dance group with strong traditional roots in this area which has a significant historical Greek influence (many towns in this area have Greek names and the dialect is a form of ancient Greek) It was thought that this group would be a great attraction both for Carnevale to be held in February in Adelaide as well as WOMAD . Material was provided to the delegation in the form of DVD's, books and CD's which explained the significance of the rediscovery of traditional songs and dance, ̀ la pizzica' .

A further discussion was held with the Ministers Godelli and Gentile regarding the possible sponsorship of this group by the Regione Puglia to enable them to come to Australia (the group comprises 60 musicians and dancers but usually half the number travels when performing overseas .

" MEETING AT CENTRE FOR AUSTRALIAN STUDIES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN - UNIVERSITY OF SALENTO

The Centre for Australian Studies in the Mediterranean is located in the 18th Century Palazzo Carrozzini in Via Oronzo Quarta.

Professor Oronzo Limone Vice Chancellor of the University of Salento

Professor Antonio Fino Dean, Foreign Language Faculty University of Salento

Professor Bernard Hickey Professor, Australian Language and Literature University of Salento

Professor Maria Renata Dolce University of Salento

Background

The Universita degli studi del Salento was founded in 1955 . It has more than 25,000 students and eight faculties (Mathematics, Physical and Natural Sciences, Economics, Engineering, Education, Foreign Languages and Literature, Arts, Conservation of Cultural Heritage and Law.

The establishment of the Centre for Australian Studies was initiated by Professor Bernard Hickey and the Centre is hosted by the University of Salento .

Professor Hickey also established a library of 7,000 volumes on Australian literature within the Centre .

Professor Hickey was born in Queensland, Australia. After obtaining a degree in speech and drama at Trinity College in Dublin, he stopped in Italy to help a friend who urgently needed to find a teacher for his language school in Rome - and stayed .

Professor Hickey tirelessly used his post at Ca Foscari in Venice and later as Professor at the University of Salento to promote Australian writing.

Unfortunately since the meeting, Professor Hickey has died aged 76 years (29 July 2007) . His Centre is a splendid monument to him.

Visit

The Premier was invited to deliver a lecture about South Australia to a university forum where many of the students in the Australian Studies course participated . This was followed by a question and answer session .

At the end of the forum the delegation proceeded to the new premises where Prof Hickey's 7000 volumes were to be housed and the Premier was given the honour of `laying' the first book in the library of the Centre for Australian Studies in the Mediterranean .

A commitment was also made to donate to the Centre for Australian Studies in the Mediterranean, the following :

"

A complete set of South Australian movies produced over the last 35 years by the SAFC

"

A selection of Australian and indigenous music ; and "

Books to the value of $10,000 .

" VISIT TO THE MARINE AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES RESEARCH CENTRE - UNIVERSITY OF SALENTO

Professor Carlo Storelli Dean of the Faculty of Science Universita del Salento Via Prov . Lecce Monteroni 73 100 Lecce

Dr Vincenzo Zonno Technical Manger, Marine Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Centre Frigole-Lecce Universita del Salento Via Prov . Lecce Monteroni 73 100 Lecce

Background

The Marine Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Centre, University del Salento has many similarities to the South Australian Aquatic Sciences Centre, both in structure and in the manner in which research is undertaken . The South Australian Aquatic Sciences Centre is home to the SARDI (South Australian Research and Development Institute) Aquatic Sciences group .

The Marine Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Centre is located in a natural wetland of more than 100 hectares, of which 45 hectares constitutes the coastal pond Basin of Acquatina. The construction of the new research facilities is almost finished and the following infrastructure is now available :

"

4 Research Laboratories

15

Meeting

Hatchery (located in a building of 88 square metres) designed for research on vertebrates and Invertebrate aquatic species 10 concrete tanks (raceway type) of 100 square metres each 6 Earthen ponds of 1500 square metres each (one is already designed to be transformed in a constructed wetland) .

Discussions centred on potential collaboration between the Marine Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Centre, the South Australian Aquatic Sciences Centre and SARDI Aquaculture Centre .

The Premier and his advisor left Puglia at this point .

" MEETING WITH FEDERAZIONE ITALIANA DELLA BICICLETTA (Italian Bicycles Federazione)

The Federation has been very active in the Puglia Region in promoting cycling to the community not only as a healthy activity but also to combat pollution . In Bari a scheme has been devised to provide free cycles for people to use within the central city area. People are required to pay a nominal membership fee equivalent to approximately $10.00 pa and they are then provided with a card which can be used to access the bicycles which are stationed around the city at any time and for any length of time required .

The Federation had also organised a ̀ car free day' in the city on that particular day which was aimed particularly at children to encourage them to use their bicycle from an early age . There were also many other activities for children which had been organised in the main square to encourage a healthy lifestyle . This included stalls where children could learn about healthy foods and also have the opportunity to take an active part in cooking lessons .

" MEETING WITH UNIVERSITY OF BARI

Prof. Susan Petrilli Dept of Linguistic Practices and Text Analysis

Prof. Petrilli was born in South Australia and on finishing her studies at Flinders University, she moved to Bari . She has written many books on Semiotics and is recognised internationally as an expert . She has also translated numerous books and has a CV far too extensive to cite . (I have a number of books written by her in my office which I can make available for anyone interested) .

Our discussions centred on the opportunities for exchanges of lecturers and Ph. D students between the University of Bari and Adelaide universities . In addition as Italy is now facing an influx of migrants from many countries, it was felt that it would be beneficial for the Regione Puglia to learn from the multicultural policies and practices in place in South Australia for many years .

Prof. Petrilli was also interested in our indigenous communities, the issues they face and in particular the area of language and signs and their development and any common developments in different cultures . .

" MEETING WITH JOURNALISTS FROM ̀IL MEZZOGIORNO' NEWSPAPER

The visit coincided with the feast of the Patron Saint of Bari, San Nicola which presented an opportunity to discuss tourism opportunities . The bones of San Nicola are buried in the Cathedral in Bari and his popularity extends not only to the Catholic community but also to the Orthodox communities, in fact Vladimir Putin the President of Russia had recently visited the saints shrine . I was given a DVD which had been produced on the life of the Patron saint and the Cathedral in Bari to be shown to interested groups or individuals in South Australia.

There are many artefacts relating to San Nicola dating back many centuries which are currently being prepared for an exhibition and it was felt that this might also be of interest to devotees of the saint in Australia . Costs are currently being prepared to see whether it would be feasible for the exhibition to travel to Australia .

" VISIT TO ITALIAN PARLIAMENT AND MEETINGS WITH ITALO-AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS

The Hon Marco Fedi Camera dei Deputati Circoscrizone esteri (Asia, Africa, Oceania, Antartide) Commissione Affari Esteri e Comunitari

Sen Nino Randazzo Circoscrizione esteri (Asia, Africa, Oceania and Antartide) Comitato per le questioni di italiani all'estero

The final two days of the visit were in Rome for meetings with the Hon Marco Fedi and Sen. Nino Randazzo, the two Italy-Australians who represent our region in the Italian Parliament . This happened to coincide with the first anniversary of the election of the Prodi government and Mr Fedi had organised for me to spend the first day visiting the Parliament and seeing how it operates .

The second day consisted of lengthy discussions on topics which were of interest to Italian citizens living in Australia including pensions, taxes and dual citizenship .

Questions regarding second, third and fourth generations centred on the teaching of Italian language and culture, dual citizenship and study-work-holiday visas .

In addition we discussed what opportunities exist for joint programs to occur between Italy and Australia which might qualify for European Union Funds .

This is a true and accurate report of my visit to Apulia, Italy from 9 May - 17 May 2007 for the purpose of Members of Parliament Travel Entitlement Rules 1983 as amended on the 2 September 1998 .

Ms Vini Ciccarello Member for Norwood