Snapper Fishery Ban

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Frome) (14:49): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries. Can the minister advise when he will be advertising the forthcoming snapper ban information in regional newspapers, in particular the Northern Argus, The Recorder in Port Pirie, the Plains Producer and the Yorke PeninsulaCountry Times?

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE (Chaffey—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (14:49): I thank the member for Frome for his question. It is an important question because, as he knows and as most fishers know, on 1 November of every year we have snapper closure. In recent times, the snapper closure is from 1 November to the second week in December, and those notices are put out on the PIRSA website, they are put out in the local newspapers and they are also put out there with other medium—radio and the like.

Yes, there will be an extension on that closure in the majority of South Australian waters and there will be some limited fishing in the south-eastern waters. Those notices will be put out there and we have approximately two weeks before those closures are implemented.

Mr Hughes interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Giles, order!

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: I want to make it very clear to those opposite that I have made a decision on snapper. I made a tough decision because—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: —when the now opposition were in government they never had the balls to close the snapper season. They didn't have the go, didn't have the ticker.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Minister, there is a point of order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Debate, sir.

The SPEAKER: There is a point of order for debate. Is the minister finished?

An honourable member: I reckon.

The SPEAKER: During that chorus of interjections, unfortunately I have to intervene. I ask the member for Narungga and the member for Badcoe to leave for the remainder of question time.

The honourable members for Narungga and Badcoe having withdrawn from the chamber: