Electronic Identification

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (15:13): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on the topic of electronic identification.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: The President of Livestock SA, Joe Keynes, has stated that, for the eID rollout to be successful, it will require a co-investment model and that costs can't be all left up to the producers. Property agent and southern regional manager, Liz Summerfield, also said:

Where is the money coming from? There has got to be some support from the federal and state governments.

My question to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development is: can she guarantee to the chamber and to the farmers of this state that her government will commit to significant financial support or subsidies for these farmers for this scheme that the federal Labor government is mandating for the industry?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:14): I thank the honourable member for her question. The topic of electronic identification has certainly been canvassed in this place several times, and I am really, I think, reiterating what has been said on previous occasions, which is that we are in discussions with the federal government in regard to how the rollout will occur. On a state level, we have provided funding to the association to be able to do some research around the most effective way to roll out a potential electronic identification scheme. Those discussions are continuing, both with the federal government and with other jurisdictions.

It's important that we do have a strong commitment to all of the various mechanisms that can be used to assist in terms of addressing, in particular, the potential risks of emergency animal diseases. We have spoken before in this place about the increased risk of foot-and-mouth disease. We also know that there are a number of other diseases that are continuing to increase in terms of their risk. We know that we have had—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Sit down.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Government Whip, the Hon. Leader of the Opposition and the Hon. Ms Girolamo, I would like to hear the minister conclude so we can move on. Minister, please conclude your remarks.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Thank you, Mr President. I am disappointed that those opposite asked a question about such an important issue and then don't want to listen to the answer about it.

The PRESIDENT: Minister!

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: And here we go again.

The PRESIDENT: Order! Minister, conclude your remarks. Come on, conclude your remarks.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.P. Wortley interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order, the Hon. Mr Wortley!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: We have an increasing risk of emergency animal diseases; we need to work together to do all we can to address those increasing risks.