MARINE PARKS

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:31): A further supplementary question: if PIRSA staff and officials are best placed to deal with the voluntary buyback because of their close relationship and understanding of the industry, why then aren't they also the best people to handle the compulsory compensation?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:31): It has also come to my attention that meetings with each sector have been occurring in April, and a draft reduction plan was put out in March. That is the further advice that I have received. So—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: This has not been updated since 2011; that's your problem.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: The dialogue continues, discussions continue; it is a moving feast. In relation to the compulsory acquisition, it has been determined that DEWNR is best placed, it is more consistent with their policy area—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Ah yes, it is the Marine Parks Act. That is why the Minister for Environment would have carriage of compulsory acquisition. It has a clause stating that the Minister for Environment is responsible for the compulsory buyback component. But, I can assure all honourable members that it does not matter which minister has carriage of which component; we are both incredibly competent ministers, we have very good agencies and very competent—

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: We work closely together.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: We do work very closely together. We are at one—we are at one with these matters. We are able to balance the environmental values and issues with commercial fishing activities, and I think we do that extremely well. Both of our agencies are full of incredibly hardworking and competent people, and I will absolutely—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I can absolutely assure you that both components will be done extremely well. As I have already indicated in this place, the advice is that we will not be requiring to go down the path of compulsory acquisition. All the advice—even if you talk to the industry, which obviously the Hon. David Ridgway does not bother to do, but if he did discuss it with the industry, the industry is also saying that it is very unlikely that compulsory acquisition would be needed because there is enough interest in the industry.

Of course, not only does the Hon. David Ridgway not bother to listen to information that is exchanged in this place, he does not bother to talk to the industry and have any idea about what is going on out there.

The PRESIDENT: A further supplementary, Ms Lensink.