Fruit Fly

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (14:39): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, and I refer to my question to you at the death knock of question time on Thursday 20 February. Are you now in a position to inform the house if you, or anyone from your office or department, have waived any fines in relation to the new regime for fruit fly zero tolerance?

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE (Chaffey—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (14:39): I thank the member for Florey for her question and, yes, it is an important question because this government is putting in protection on behalf of the $1.25 billion horticulture industry. Since the zero tolerance has come into train, there have been some levels of I guess concern about receiving on-the-spot fines. Along the way, those fines, which people had not previously had enforced on them, have seen motorists who are bringing fruit into South Australia receive a $375 on-the-spot fine. As to the number of fines that have been waived, that is something that I will continue to pursue and come back with an accurate answer.