Minister's Recreational Fishing Advisory Council

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:08): I thank the member for his answer, but my next question is also to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Was a tender process conducted that led to the engagement of Horizon State to conduct that ballot for the Minister's Fishing Advisory Council?

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE (Chaffey—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (14:08): Sorry, could you just repeat the centre part of that?

The SPEAKER: Leader, please repeat the question.

Mr MALINAUSKAS: Sure, no problems. The question is: was a tender process conducted that led to the engagement of Horizon State to conduct the ballot that the minister referred to?

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: There was a two-person independent assessment panel to, I guess, categorise the 42 people on that committee.

Mr Malinauskas: We are talking about the tender for conducting the ballot.

The SPEAKER: Order! We have the question.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: The tender for the ballot was brought forward independently. People came together of their own accord. That tender process was open to anyone around South Australia.

Mr Malinauskas: No, can I ask the question again?

The SPEAKER: Order! You have asked the question. You repeated the question, leader. Let's hear the minister's answer. The minister has the call. If the leader wants to ask another question, he can. Minister, are you still going? You still have the call.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: What I would say is that the tender process for the election of the 42—

Mr Malinauskas: No, who conducted it?

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: Yes, that tender process was put out to two independent people not involved in the fishing sector. One was a small business person and one was a legal person.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir: the question was regarding the appointment of Horizon State to conduct a ballot and whether a tender process was conducted for that process.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I have the question. The point of order is for debate, member for West Torrens?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes.

The SPEAKER: I will listen carefully. I think there may have been potentially some misunderstanding, but it doesn't mean that members on my left can continually interject. The minister has the call. He will give his answer. I will give the leader one more question after that. The minister has the call.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: I have answered it.

The SPEAKER: He's finished. Leader, do you have another question?