Marine Parks

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:23): My question is to the Minister for Regional Development. Can the minister name one fishing industry group or regional community group that has supported the government’s marine park policy?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Schubert is warned for the second and final time, and the member for Chaffey is warned.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Recreation and Sport, Minister for Racing) (14:23): As the Minister for Fisheries, I have spoken to a lot of fishing groups around the state and some have shown more concern than others about possible impacts, but what we have agreed to do is keep a watching brief on the impacts of marine parks and sanctuary zones over the next few months once these are introduced. I think what everyone is sick and tired of is that this debate and discussion has been going on for 14 years. The time has come—

An honourable member: Who was the minister who introduced it?

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: The member for Davenport was the minister at the time. It was a great idea, but there has been a lot of consultation done. I get around the regions quite a bit and there are a lot of people in the regions who support these sanctuary zones and the marine parks. As I said as recently as last week to the rural media at the annual breakfast at the Show, the time has come to introduce these and we will work with the fishing sectors—

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: Yes.

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: I understand that one minister can answer a question on behalf of the other minister but the question was: 'Can the Minister for Regional Development name one organisation which has supported this?' That is what this minister should answer.

The SPEAKER: Yes, we will see if the minister gets to the substance of the question. Minister.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: I thought I answered that in the first few lines where I said that I have spoken to a number of fishing groups throughout this state.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Some might not have come to see me because they are quite happy with it. The southern rock lobster people I have spoken with are a little bit concerned about an area between Port MacDonnell and the border and a little bit closer to shore near Southend. But there are other fishing groups out there who may not have come to see me, so I can't presume whether they are for or against—

Mr van Holst Pellekaan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Stuart is warned!

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: As the Minister for Fisheries I have responsibility to the house to answer questions about fisheries. The people who work in the fishing industry, who have business in the fishing industry, are likely to come and talk to me about concerns that they have with any government policy. So, it is quite appropriate for me to give the answer and that is the answer, sir.