FORESTRYSA

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14:56): My question is again to the minister for forests. Minister, who should the people of the South-East believe regarding the sale of the state's forests? The minister was reported in the local paper as saying:

The State Government has made a decision and some people may be unhappy with it, but the decision is made.

Further:

It's been in the budget papers since 2008 and it has always been clear that the Government will go ahead with the sale.

Or should the people of the South-East believe the Treasurer, who wrote to the South-East Local Government Association just two weeks before the minister made those comments saying that no decision had been made. To quote from the letter:

Currently the Government is reviewing the report prepared by the Department of Treasury and Finance. Once the Government has made a decision on this matter, then I will be in a position to provide you with more detail.

Should they believe you, minister, or the Treasurer?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Davenport!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Federal/State Relations, Minister for Defence Industries) (14:57): What a pathetic question.

The Hon. I.F. Evans: It was so pathetic he wouldn't take it!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: No. You have asked about a comment by the minister, which he has reconfirmed, and you are introducing a comment that I have made in a letter. It is appropriate that I answer.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: If you would like to be quiet, I am happy to give you the right answer.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: No. Madam Speaker, what the minister has said is correct: it is in the budget; it is in the bottom line; it is in three successive budgets; it is what was shown to the rating agencies. That sale of the forward rotations—that decision has been taken. What we have not taken is a final—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Are you listening?

Mr Williams: Absolutely.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: We have not taken a final decision on the method and the manner in which we will do that.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: What is she giggling about?

The SPEAKER: Treasurer.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Have a look at the member for Bragg. What a stunning political career she has had. A stunning political career she has had, the member for Bragg.

Mr Marshall: Tell us about your phone bill.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: We want to start asking some questions, do we? I have a few interesting numbers in Treasury from expenses of members opposite. Would you like me to reveal those as well?

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Pardon?

Mr Marshall: Thirteen per cent.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Thirteen what?

Mr Marshall: Per cent who believe you should be the premier.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: That's not bad given I am not seeking the position.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Have you ever seen a bloke with bigger tickets on himself in such a short space of time as this bloke? He has been here about eight months—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Norwood, I warn you for the second time.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: What a goose!

Mr PISONI: Point of order, Madam Speaker: I believe that calling a member of parliament a goose is unparliamentary and I ask that the Deputy Premier withdraw.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I withdraw and apologise.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, Treasurer. I just point out that the member for Norwood could have called that. Treasurer, back to your answer.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: As I said, Madam Speaker, it is a nonsense question. We have already made the decision. It is factored into the forward estimates. It would be—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Treasurer, don't respond to interjections. Finish your answer.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: It is a very simple matter. The government has made the decision to sell the forward rotations. We have not finalised as yet or taken the decision on a number of rotations on the way in which we will sell. There are a number of matters in a process such as this that require a significant body of work. That work is being undertaken as we speak. It should be concluded shortly, and we will then make a final decision. There is an issue on the number of rotations. There are issues associated with it and those decisions have not been taken. Until such time as they are, the sale of the forward rotations is a matter that is in the budget and, once the final decision is taken, it will be announced.