MARINE PARKS

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:13): My question is to the Minister for Environment and Conservation. In relation to the marine parks plan, is the minister going to accept the compensation to fishers as per the recommendations put to him by the displaced effort working group in May, and will the compensation be agreed to before fishery management plans are rolled out?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water) (15:14): In the first instance, I want to acknowledge the work that has been undertaken to date by the many people who have been involved in the ongoing development of our marine parks, not the least of which is the commercial sector itself and, in particular, the work it has done as a very important component of the displaced effort working group. I had a meeting the other week with the alliance. You are obviously aware of that, because you have asked me the question. I am sure that the channels of communication, as usual, are very good between the commercial fishing sector and the members of the opposition, just as they are with members on this side of the house.

Quite simply, what I have asked them to do I will be communicating more formally to them in the very near future. I had a meeting with them last week, and what I have said is that I have some concerns with the specifics of the recommendations that were made with respect to the formula that they are recommending to me in relation to compensation for displaced effort. We had a very detailed discussion that night and I put that formally to them.

I want them to go away again, with the department and others, to have a look at the formula that they have provided to me, in the first instance, with a view to making sure that we get things right, not just from the government's perspective but from all people who will be implicated upon by any compensation that is paid or in respect to displaced effort. I am very confident that they will go away and work very genuinely, as they have up to date. They will work not only with the department but also with other members of the community and come back to me with what I hope will be a revised formula. The second part of your question, I think, was specifically about the management plans.

Mr Pederick interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Yes, I know. It was rhetorical. I apologise for that. That was the second part of your question. I have also confirmed to people, and it still needs to be followed up, that there will be a delay of the next MPLAG meeting for at least a month, until the displaced effort working group has reported back.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: I beg your pardon? Just hang on for a minute, Mitch. You have had your chance. Did you have something to say?

Mr Williams interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: It has got nothing to do with the federal election. That is just ridiculous. The difference between this side of the house and that side of the house is, as minister for—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: I have had 12 portfolio responsibilities, which is significantly more than anyone on that side has had. What I would say, as the minister—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Yes, that's right. I have had as many ministerial portfolio responsibilities as they have had deputy leaders.

An honourable member: You haven't had that many.

The Hon. P. CAICA: No, that's right. I haven't had that many. On this side of the house, what I am committed to doing is to ensure that we get things right. I am not going to, in the context of marine parks, build a one-way express freeway. I am going to make sure that we get things right. That means that, if we need to take a breath and suck back a little bit to ensure that we bring everyone along with us, that is what I will be doing. That is the way I operate, and that is the way that this side operates. I look forward to your support with respect to that type of process.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!