Wild Dogs

Mr TRELOAR (Flinders) (14:40): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister update the house about the state government's strategy to support farmers in the challenges posed by wild dogs?

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE (Chaffey—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (14:41): I thank the member for Flinders for his question. He knows better than most in this house the impact of wild dogs, particularly on our livestock industry here in South Australia. Livestock producers—

Mr Hughes: Good to see you're recycling this.

The SPEAKER: The member for Giles is called to order.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: —for a number of years have expressed concern about the impact of wild dogs, particularly—

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan: I thought Pengilly was gone. Why are we talking about dogs?

The SPEAKER: The member for Lee is called to order.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: —on an industry so important to South Australia's economy. Accordingly—

Dr Close interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is called to order.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: —we are hearing about the significant lamb and sheep losses in a number of areas, particularly in the member for Flinders' electorate. We need to be clear: this is not an issue that has arisen overnight. It hasn't been here since we have been elected into government; it's an issue that has been ongoing for a number of years. In the 2016-17 year, the report indicated that about 10,000 sheep were taken by wild dogs.

The equation in today's prices is about $2 million. For those who would understand, it means that it keeps pastoralists, livestock owners, awake at night knowing that wild dogs are out there taking their livestock, yet there was very little done. What we saw in the course of 16 years was a small percentage, less than 5 per cent, of the fence replaced. Sadly, in the five years of replacement, it is now being replaced again because it was inadequate—unbudgeted, too short. Why is it that those opposite over there would continue to begrudge the need for the livestock industry—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: —to be supported? What I can say is that the Marshall government, on this side, have done more in eight months than what the opposites did in 16 years—shame! What we're saying is that we are working very closely with Livestock SA, the Wild Dog Advisory Group and the Dog Fence Board here in South Australia to make sure that we work a way forward in dealing with wild dogs. And make no mistake: wild dogs are heading south. We are dealing with not only wild dogs breeding up but we are also dealing with a dog fence that is ageing. Some of that fence is over 100 years old.

The Hon. A. Piccolo interjecting:

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: The member for Light might joke, but when he's got wild dogs in his electorate he won't be laughing.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Mawson is called to order.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: The dog fence is a large piece of infrastructure. It's a 5,400-kilometre long fence. Here in South Australia, it is 2,150 kilometres long, so, yes, it does need funding and, yes, it does need continual maintenance. What we are saying on this side of the house, as a responsible government, is that we are putting measures in place. We have enacted seven wild dog trappers. We have put the most comprehensive baiting program in the state's history in place—an aerial and land baiting program worth $1.2 million. That put out 25,000 baits, with almost 14 tonnes of kangaroo meat, dealing with the comprehensive breeding up of wild dogs over a number of years.

This government will act. We will continue to work with the advisory groups. We will continue to work with the boards, pastoralists and representatives within the livestock industry to make sure that we look after a $5.5 billion industry that is under siege as we speak. This government will continue to work with industry, as I have said. Importantly, we will also work with pastoralists so that we know that we can improve their lives and their livestock, making sure that we grow our economy and our herd and flock numbers to drive our economy and making sure that the red meat industry is one of the absolute principal industries of South Australia's economy.