DEEP CREEK

The Hon. SANDRA KANCK (14:51): I have a further supplementary question. The minister says that there is no scientific evidence that the Upper Deep Creek catchment was a perennial stream; how does she account for the existence of a swamp and for the existence of plants that are adapted to swamp conditions along that upper catchment?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (14:52): We can only go on the information, advice and science that we have at the time, and that suggests it is unlikely that it was a perennial stream. It is not absolute, and no-one has said it is absolute; all we can go on is the best science available to us. That is the evidence before us, and that is the advice I have been given.