Legislative Council Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time ForestrySA FORESTRYSA The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE Legislative Council FORESTRYSA The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (14:43): I have a supplementary following the minister's answer. As a legislative councillor, does the minister support the forward sale of the forests and, if he does not, what is he doing to oppose it? The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN Legislative Council Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for Gambling FORESTRYSA The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for Gambling) (14:43): I thank the honourable 'leader of the opposition' for his question, and I congratulate him on his elevation to office. It is hardly any wonder, after the Liberal Party, over so many years in this state, has allowed successive members— The Hon. T.J. Stephens interjecting: The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Stephens should take the whipping he is getting quietly. The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN Legislative Council The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN: Thank you, Mr President. I thank the honourable 'leader of the opposition'. It is no surprise that the Liberal Party is again getting into the same pattern it has had, certainly over the period of this government, which is to allow certain crossbenchers—and good luck to them—to become the de facto leader of the opposition because they are so ineffective at actually prosecuting any sort of case to be the government of the state. What I said— The Hon. T.J. Stephens interjecting: The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Stephens will come to order. An honourable member Legislative Council An honourable member: Why? The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Because he's annoying me. The honourable minister. The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN Legislative Council The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN: Thank you, Mr President. Can I say to the Hon. Mr Brokenshire that what I support is making a decision in the best interests of the state and the South-East and the people who live there. So, like every other member of the government, I will wait until I see the regional impact statement. I will consider it carefully, and I will make a decision based on what is in the best interests of the people of the South-East and our state into the future.