Bats

The Hon. D.G. PISONI (Unley) (15:00): My question is to the Minister for Environment and Water. Is the minister taking any action to manage bats in Adelaide and, if so, what is the action? I seek leave to explain the question, sir.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: In a recent media release, SA Power Networks claimed the initial colony numbered in just the hundreds, but the colony is now totalling 46,000 and their nocturnal search for food is now disrupting the power supply of more than 100,000 homes each year.

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water) (15:01): There are, of course, a number of species of bats that live in South Australia, and without knowing which species they are and how protected they are it is difficult for me to discuss.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE: If we are talking about the bat colony in the Botanic Garden, which I am not certain that's what the member is referring to, they are a protected species at a national level and, therefore, are not able to be culled despite frequent calling for culling from the other side.