Legislative Council: Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Contents

Oceanic Victor

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (14:55): Supplementary based on the original answer: will the minister advise the house on how the Oceanic Victor, the swim with the tuna facility on Granite Island, will be protected during the maintenance and upgrade of the new causeway, and not have its business affected?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:55): I thank the honourable member for at least a sensible question; it's pleasing to get one from the other side of the chamber. It is a project that I am sure will be run by the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. As I said in my original answer, the key stakeholders will be consulted.

Clearly, Oceanic Victor, which is absolutely one of the jewels in the crown for the Fleurieu—I have had the experience of swimming with the tuna when it was in Port Lincoln; I haven't had the opportunity to do it when it's in Victor Harbor—is clearly a key stakeholder.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Clearly, members opposite have no interest in listening to information about important tourism attractions. The front bench can't help themselves but interject. They are just like a bunch of noisy schoolchildren. I am thankful to get a question from the backbench of the opposition that actually makes sense, and I am concerned that we make sure the key stakeholders are consulted because that is a key tourism attraction.

It took some time for them to get that operation up and running. As the former minister would know, there were a number of teething problems and I am really keen to see that flourish. It has become particularly popular. Even though there was a large number of locals and stakeholders who almost protested against its location there, I know a number of those people have made comments on social media that they have actually gone out and swum with the tuna now and they see it as a particularly wonderful asset for the community.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter, a further supplementary.