Building Better Regions Fund

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:25): Further supplementary: regarding the minister's comment on the approval process for the previous five rounds—

The PRESIDENT: Just ask the supplementary.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: —is the minister suggesting that, rather than assessing projects based on merit, our federal colleagues should follow the lead of her government in dishing out cheques for photo opportunities before an election?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:26): It's very disappointing—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Minister, I'm sure you don't need the help of the Hon. Mr Wortley. I am sure you are competent enough to answer the question on your own.

The Hon. R.P. Wortley interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Wortley!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I am very disappointed that the Leader of the Opposition is suggesting that the Grant district council saleyards project does not have merit. That is not the view of this government.

The Hon. N.J. Centofanti interjecting:

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Yes, it is. You suggested it wouldn't be done on a merit-based process. I think that project does have merits. That's why, prior to the election, the then Malinauskas opposition—

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Point of order: that was not what I said in my question.

The PRESIDENT: It's not a point of order.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Minister, continue.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I am also disappointed that there was no successful advocacy from the federal member for Barker. I think it would have been a good outcome if this had been funded perhaps in round 5, and he has failed to do so. We heard not a peep from the now Liberal opposition here in this state parliament in regard to this project when they were in government. They didn't criticise their federal mates then for not funding, so really it rests very much on them.