St Kilda Mangroves

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:51): My question is to the Minister for Environment and Water. Does the minister believe that Peri Coleman is receiving payments to raise concerns about the mangrove deaths? With your leave, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Dr CLOSE: For clarity, I reiterate the previous explanation that on the morning of 19 October, on ABC radio the minister said, 'It's in Peri Coleman's interest to be extremely worried.'

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Minister for Environment and Water) (14:51): I have no idea whether she is receiving payment from anyone in the community or the NGO sector or not. She may well be, but I'm not aware of that. Maybe the deputy leader should ask Peri Coleman that question, not me.