MARINE PARKS

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:10): My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. Minister, has the government yet determined the total budgeted amount to be allocated as compensation to commercial fishers as a result of them having to either partially or fully surrender their licences following the introduction of the marine parks and so-called no-take zones? If so, what amount has been agreed upon?

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) (15:10): I think I have addressed this matter in this place previously as part of other information in relation to answering other questions. We have not divulged the amounts. What we have said is that we will negotiate fishery by fishery, because different fisheries have different market values at a given time, and on a case-by-case basis.

What we have said is that we will give a fair market price. Obviously, the absolute amount is something that we hold as commercially in confidence, and that's because, if we go out there and let people know what we are prepared to pay, you can bet your bottom dollar that they will not only be asking that but probably for a bit more than that. So, we need to keep that confidential for the time being, but we have made it clear that it will be at fair market prices.

I can reassure the honourable member that those negotiations are going extremely well. We have been overwhelmed by the fisheries, on a voluntary basis, coming forward and looking for sale of, if not of all their licence, part of their licence, I think for a range of reasons, so that's been very positive. Across most of the fisheries, we have received far more offers than we need so, obviously, we will continue with those negotiations, and they are being finalised pretty much as I speak.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Darley, do you have a supplementary?