Edithburgh Jetty

Mr ELLIS (Narungga) (14:46): I have a question for the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Will the minister and the government consider the installation of a scuba diving platform at the Edithburgh jetty as part of the jetties pilot program? With your leave, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr ELLIS: The government recently announced a pilot program of five jetties, including Edithburgh, which is one of the top dive sites in the state, thanks to its marine life and the Investigator Strait Shipwreck Trial that is currently almost inaccessible for divers. I have previously written to the government about this issue and would be pleased if they could commit to the installation of a platform.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:46): There is strong consideration for the member's request. He is a fierce advocate for his local community and has inundated my office with emails and letters on a number of matters, not just jetties but also local roads and other matters. As I said previously in this parliament, jetties are the lifeblood of regional communities and their use helps activate local communities, especially with local tourism. The Edithburgh jetty is a fine example of that. Anything the state government can do to try to enhance that visitor experience would—

Mr Whetstone interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey is on two warnings.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —we will look at. What we are looking for is good suggestions, and that is a very, very good suggestion. Obviously, we will be considering all those through all the processes that we go through normally. I do point out to the member that there are a number of budgets and the Mid-Year Budget to go until the next election, and obviously there are a number of facilities already in place to help maintain our facilities as they are and, if we can enhance them along the way, we will.

That is an example of a local member of parliament coming up with a good suggestion to the government of the day to try to improve the local amenity of their community, less concerned with the goings-on in Victoria, say the Birdcage, for example, and more concerned about what is going on here in South Australia. I tell you what I wasn't doing: I wasn't drinking 389 in the Birdcage.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Whetstone interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey is on three warnings. The member for Flinders and then the member for Badcoe.