APY LANDS, FOOD SECURITY

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:39): My question, again, is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. Will the minister confirm that federal minister Jenny Macklin had to intervene and reject the minister's proposal to spend millions of dollars of federal money intended for the APY lands being spent instead on an administration centre for bureaucrats?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers, Minister Assisting the Premier in Social Inclusion) (14:40): I have to say that I welcome the involvement of minister Macklin in this area. I first talked to her about this matter a number of months ago. I saw her on 1 June, I think it was, and we talked about a bunch of issues, including food security on the APY lands. Minister Macklin and I and the communities are working together, and that is what we are doing. The key issue in relation to that particular initiative is that the money is staying here on the lands, and it will be put to very good use.

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: Have you ever been to the lands, Isobel?

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Bright.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!