PASTORAL LEASE RENTS

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:08): My question is directed to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. As the minister responsible for agriculture, including the wool industry, and for food production, does the minister support the retention of the Pastoral Land Management and Conservation Act under the responsibility of the minister for the environment or the alternative position of its coming under her own portfolio?

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) (15:09): I support the current arrangements: I think they have served us well. I think that, if there are issues of concern that need to be addressed, there are processes available to do that. The minister for the environment is an extremely competent person and has dealt very well with managing the pastoral lease arrangements in the past. As I said, if improvement is required then I think the current arrangements lend themselves to that.