Pastoral Leases

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:09): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries. What is the estimated increase in asset value of the leases held by Hancock Agriculture in the increase in their tenure from 42 to 100 years?

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM (Finniss—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (15:10): I thank the member for her question. It's great that the deputy leader is talking about the pastoral industry. It is such an important part of our state's economy. They do wonderful things in that part of the world in managing a very difficult environment and turning it into a very productive outcome for many.

As we look at this piece of the South Australian economy, it is very exciting how we can support it going forward. There are opportunities for this part of the country that haven't been available before, where they can take advantages going forward and look at different opportunities to bring income onto those properties and improve their ability to supplement their income from pastoralism through other opportunities, including carbon farming.

Late last week, I was pleased to be in Port Augusta to talk to a large crowd of pastoralists about the opportunities in front of them. One of the key things that the deputy leader raised in her question is carbon farming and the 100-year lease opportunity that sits there behind that need. The 100 years is very important to many pastoralists, whether it be the Hancocks or anyone else, to actually be able to enter into agreements and use carbon farming to supplement incomes. It's really pleasing to see that interest.

The reason we need 100-year leases in that part of the world is so those farmers can enter the agreements that are out there to actually be able to use the 100-year—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir, standing order 98: debate. The question was: what is the estimated increase in value of leases held by Hancock Agriculture, not the debate surrounding the decision to increase the pastoral lease to 100 years.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. I have taken note and listened carefully to the question of the deputy leader and the minister is in the course of answering the question. The minister has the call. The minister has concluded his answer.