REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:54): Supplementary question. Can the minister explain why the Eyre Regional Development committee does not have any representation from agriculture, aquaculture or mining, given that they are the three biggest industries on Eyre Peninsula?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (14:54): It is an open democratic process, where expressions of interest are called for. The three levels of government encourage people to be aware of the nominations being opened and encourage people with relevant expertise to nominate. It is an open process. I cannot go out there and force people to take up these positions. I am aware that there are gaps in some of the regions, and we will seek to encourage those people with the appropriate skill sets and interests to fill those positions in the future.

The bottom line is that no level of government—neither federal, state nor local government—has the power to mandate individuals to participate in this particular forum. The honourable member might want to propose a change of legislation, perhaps, where such an impost could be forced upon individuals. I doubt that it would gain support, but really if that is what he is suggesting—that we devise some means of forcing people to participate—that is a nonsense. In the meantime, all levels of government—federal, state and local government—have done a great deal of work to get information out and to encourage individuals with the appropriate skills and interest to participate and will continue to do that.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Ridgway has a further supplementary.