MARINE PARKS

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood) (14:28): My question is again to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Will the government rule out using NRM levies or fishing licence revenue to cover the management costs of the new marine park sanctuary zones? The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park management costs exceed $17 million per year. In a previous answer in this question time the minister gave no advice to the house on how South Australia's marine park costs will be met. He simply said, 'They will pay for themselves.' Will he rule out NRM levies and fishing licence revenue covering these costs?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:28): The marine parks program is one of the most significant conservation programs ever undertaken by any government. We have gone through a process of the development of the draft management plans, and those draft management plans have included a significant input from the South Australian people.

I think what is important to note, and the point that needs to be made, is that this process, in fact the outcome from this process, is going to be both pro the environment and pro the economy. I do question the environmental credentials of those opposite, but in answer—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr WILLIAMS: Point of order, Madam Speaker.

The SPEAKER: What is your point of order?

Mr WILLIAMS: Madam Speaker, question time does not give the minister the opportunity to throw gratuitous insults across the chamber, under standing order 98. What is the point of us coming in here and asking a question when the minister refuses to go anywhere near the substance of the question? The question asks the minister specifically: will he rule out NRM levy increases or the introduction of fishing licence fees to fund marine parks?

The SPEAKER: You have made your point, thank you. Minister, I refer you back to the question.

The Hon. P. CAICA: The answer to both questions is yes and yes.