Building Better Regions Fund

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:43): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development regarding the regions. Since the election has the minister written to her federal colleagues to advocate for the funds committed to South Australia under the Building Better Regions Fund?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. N.J. Centofanti interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.P. Wortley interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The question was not directed to you, the Hon. Mr Wortley, it was directed to the minister, and I would like to hear the minister's answer.

The Hon. J.M.A. Lensink: How many no-confidence motions?

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:44): So, of course, hopefully those members opposite are aware of the investigations that have had to occur into funds such as the Building Better Regions Fund. However, I do find it quite remarkable that those opposite have—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —an exclusive focus on letter writing. What I have done in regard to the Grant district council saleyards is I have had a number of conversations with my federal counterparts, a number of ministers. My office has had a number of conversations with the relevant federal officers as well, ministerial officers, and have been strongly advocating for this project, because this is a project that is important to the South-East of South Australia. In fact, it's important to the South Australian economy.

It would have been far preferable if the Building Better Regions Fund had been finalised before the latest round (round 6) before the federal election, but those opposite failed to advocate to their colleagues federally for that to occur. What I have done is advocate on a number of occasions to a number of different ministers—and my office has been in contact with those ministerial officers on a number of occasions—to impress upon them the importance of this program and how important it is for our local region in the South-East.