MOUSE PLAGUE

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (16:08): Does the minister agree that it is acceptable for the government to condemn farmers for mixing their own bait in a time of absolute urgency and need when the government offered no assistance, unlike what they did with the locust plague the year before?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (16:09): That is an absolutely outrageous statement. South Australia led the nation in terms of its response to locust outbreaks.

An honourable member: He said that.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Not only did we do that, but our response to the drought situation in regional South Australia was outstanding. In terms of the details—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: That just shows how out of touch the Hon. David Ridgway is, because I have visited those regions—I visited the Riverland just recently—and I have spoken to a wide range of not just businesses but community groups, mums and dads, and that community—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Ridgway should not be interjecting.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Not since you left the bush.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: —acknowledges and values the enormous contribution the state government made in terms of its drought relief to that area. It does acknowledge and value that, so to suggest, as the Hon. David Ridgway did, that no-one from regional communities acknowledges that incredible contribution we made just shows how out of touch he is. He has moved into the city; he is a city slicker now, and he has completely left his old friends and mates behind. He is out of touch, out of the loop and out of the network; he has lost the plot. He relies on me now to go out and visit the regions and bring back up-to-date, relevant and contemporary information to keep him in touch and in the loop.

In relation to this government's track record and commitment to the regions, as I said, it has been outstanding. In respect of the details around mouse baiting, it is a matter the minister for primary industry has led and is in charge of. As I have indicated, I am more than happy to refer those questions to the minister in another place and bring back a response.