South Australian Research and Development Institute

Mr HUGHES (Giles) (15:18): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and a Regional Development. What consultation occurred with the South Australian Research and Development Institute before the decision was taken to increase its fees payable to the primary industries department?

The Hon. V.A. Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier is warned for a second and final time.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE (Chaffey—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (15:18): Again, that is an important question. What I would say to the member for Giles is that we did not have to inflict a forward estimates budget cut of $35.8 million—

The Hon. A. Piccolo: Here we go.

The SPEAKER: The member for Light will cease interjecting.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: As I previously stated, I would like—

Ms Cook interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Hurtle Vale is called to order.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: Sir, I would like to correct the Hansard: it was $28.5 million of forward estimates cuts. What I can proudly say to the shadow minister is that there were no cuts to SARDI in the budget.

Mr Picton: Increase in fees?

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: There is an increase in fees, yes.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: It's called fee for service.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The minister has the call.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: What I will say to the shadow minister—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: —and he, I'm sure, will have some form of an understanding, is that SARDI is a very, very valuable R&D organisation here in South Australia. It is world renowned. For too long we have seen the previous government continually take funding and cut the budget to SARDI over 16 long years. We continually saw cuts into SARDI. This year, for the first year in 16 years, there were no cuts to SARDI.

The SPEAKER: The member for Mount Gambier has been patiently waiting and has the call. I will come back to you, member for Giles. The member for Mount Gambier.