FOOD AND WINE INDUSTRY

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (14:51): A supplementary, sir.

The SPEAKER: A supplementary on spuds!

Mr MARSHALL: Absolutely, sir. As the minister points out, it is an extraordinarily important industry here in South Australia.

The SPEAKER: Yes; go ahead.

Mr MARSHALL: Thank you. How many people are employed in the South Australian potato industry, and is the minister aware of industry concerns that the government's proposed water allocation plans will adversely affect the employment in this important South Australian agricultural sector?

The SPEAKER: The minister.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:51): Thank you, sir.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: I don't understand why they're laughing. I am very happy to raise the water allocation issues with the minister in another place, which is the entirely appropriate thing to do. As for employment numbers, I am very happy to bring back a more specific answer if that is easier to do.

The SPEAKER: Has the leader exhausted that line of questioning?

Mr MARSHALL: I think so, sir.

The SPEAKER: The leader.