Marine Parks

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (15:17): Supplementary question: would the minister like the telephone number of the Northern Zone rock lobster fisherman who I spoke to this morning, who reported that the industry over there is in real trouble, even though it is environmentally benign compared to an activity such as shark cage diving that involves berleying?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (15:18): The Liberal Party in this state again just peddle the lies that come from interested parties who don't support marine parks. All fishers were invited to put their case if they believed that they had lost business through this process and give the documentation and we would give it consideration for compensation. That process is live. If anyone the Hon. Michelle Lensink is talking to believes that is the case, then I invite her to encourage them to approach us and put their case.

But if they haven't got the material because in fact it's had no negative or deleterious effect on them, then they are just peddling untruths for base political purposes. The Liberal Party in this state hate marine parks. If they are ever elected to government they will destroy them, just like their commonwealth comrades in Canberra have by failing to put in place regulations under the national marine parks legislation.

The PRESIDENT: Just before this question the honourable Leader of the Government made a statement calling the Hon. Mr Dawkins a bully. The reality is it is inappropriate to have that on Hansard, even though it was said in jest. I would like you to withdraw it.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I withdraw absolutely my suggestion that the Hon. John Dawkins is a bully. He is nothing of the sort.