Port Pirie Fish Deaths

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:59): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries. Who informed, or which agency informed, or how did your department become aware that there were fish deaths next to the smelter in Port Pirie?

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Minister for Environment and Water) (15:00): I thank the deputy leader for her very important question—

Mr Hughes interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Giles is called to order for interjecting out of his seat.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: —on this very serious matter as outlined clearly in yesterday's ministerial statement and also in my response to the question from the member for Frome. This is a matter where previously there were not protocols in place for either ministers or members of the community to be notified because the incident which occurred did not meet immediate public health concern. However, I have now asked that the board of the EPA review the protocols and the thresholds in place to ensure—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: —that this does not happen in the future. While there may not have been an issue of immediate public health concern, there certainly was an environmental issue which had occurred.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Leader and the Deputy Premier, please!

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: There were two specific issues here: one to do with a fishery, where PIRSA were the lead agency when dead fish were found, and one dealing with a spill, which was a broader environmental incident, where the EPA took the lead at that point. The protocols were not in place at the EPA level, but I do deem this to be a serious incident which ought to be reviewed to make sure that community, civic leaders and ministers are informed where appropriate.

The Hon. V.A. Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier is called to order. The member for Kaurna and then the member for Mount Gambier.