AGRICULTURE SECTOR

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:36): My question is to the Treasurer. Does the government still believe that agriculture will fill the gap left by the cancelled Olympic Dam expansion following the loss of 5,000 South Australian jobs in the last three months in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector? The Treasurer told the media on 28 August, and I quote, 'What we have to do now is work on new projects that replace the Olympic Dam project. We have a very strong agricultural sector at the moment; it is one of the most important.' Yet we have lost 5,000 jobs in the last three months in that sector.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Treasurer, Minister for Workers Rehabilitation, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:37): I am not sure what exactly the question is. I think the Leader of the Opposition is asking me whether I think the agricultural sector is an important part of our state economy, and the answer is, yes, I do.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!