FORESTRYSA

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (14:43): I have some supplementary questions. They are:

1. Given that the honourable member is now a cabinet minister and has the opportunity of further input into the executive of government, can the minister assure the house that he will raise issues of social impact in the terms of reference, not only economic impact?

2. Can the minister assure us that he will argue against this (because it is a broken promise, given that the government said there would be no privatisation)?

3. If the terms of reference come up in favour of the government (given that it will have developed the terms of reference), will the minister support us in a call for a select committee in the Legislative Council to get to the truth?

The PRESIDENT: The honourable minister will disregard the enormous amount of opinion in that question and also that it is asking the minister for an opinion.

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for Gambling) (14:44): Thank you, Mr President. If select committees of the Legislative Council solved anything we would have to be the most advanced state in the galaxy.

I can inform the honourable member that the regional impact statement (which will be made public) will advise cabinet on the issues and the views expressed in the consultation undertaken in relation to regional issues; the impact of proposals on regions and regional interests; the full range of costs and benefits of the proposal to the region and its community (in particular, employment); strategies for managing the identified risks, impacts and issues (including the impact on downstream industries); and the impact of the proposals on social inclusion and economic development within regions.

I believe the regional impact statement will consider the matters that the honourable member has expressed some concern about. As a former cabinet minister himself, I am sure he would be well aware that the deliberations of cabinet, in which I will participate, are not a matter of public discussion. Indeed, this morning I took an oath that I would not divulge the proceedings of Executive Council. I am sure he is well aware that I can give no commitments and make no discussion about my view in cabinet.