Freight Transportation

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:35): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development about transport.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: Transport is the biggest issue in regard to the competitiveness for primary producers. It strongly impacts on the productivity of nearly every agricultural business in South Australia. The industry is calling for a modernisation and harmonisation of our regulatory systems. Primary Producers SA stated that one of the major areas requiring reform, which can deliver the biggest benefit to primary producers, is the cost of transport. My questions to the minister are:

1. Will the minister and state government agree to a modernisation of the regulatory systems to address freight routes, agricultural machinery movements on public roads, etc.?

2. What consultation has the minister undertaken so far with the industry and relevant agencies on regulatory changes to address transport issues?

3. Can the minister provide details as to which state government department or agency is taking on the responsibility for the identification of the issues and collecting data and survey feedback to drive the necessary changes?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:36): I thank the honourable member for her question. Certainly transport is a very key issue. She is presumably referring to freight transport from the tenor of her question. I think there are always opportunities for governments to look at ways that regulations and processes can be streamlined. I think that is an important role of government.

We know that often things are in place which may have excellent foundations, but perhaps circumstances have changed over time and they can be updated and modernised. If the honourable member would like to provide me with the specific regulatory changes she is seeking, I am more than happy to have a look at those and refer them to the appropriate minister, if that is the suitable course of action.