Fruit Fly

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:23): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development regarding her response to a question from the Hon. Frank Pangallo earlier this week on fruit fly. Given the critical importance to industry, the broader community and the funds previous and current governments have invested into eradicating fruit fly from this state, has the minister now formally written to the television station about Mr Molloy's flippant comments?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Order from the government benches!

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Ms Girolamo, order! I want to hear the answer to the question.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Don't speak when I am on my feet.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:24): I suppose I should thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. However, having seen the comments that Mick Molloy made in regard to this, they are clearly lighthearted when viewed within the context of a comedy sports-based talk show. Mick Molloy is a comedian. Generally, most people realise that that means comedians make jokes. Clearly, that is what he did.

He also talked about having, I think, arrest warrants on his head, and since then he has talked about being public enemy number one in South Australia. I really don't think even those opposite sincerely imagine that people are tuning in to the comedy show The Front Bar for their travel advice. I really don't think that is the case.

I look forward to thousands of people coming to South Australia for the Gather Round; I look forward to all of them enjoying our fresh produce here in South Australia, visiting our wineries, and I say to Mick Molloy, 'Mick, you are not public enemy number one here in South Australia, we love you, we look forward to you coming and I hope we get to have a drink and some wonderful South Australian fresh fruit together.'

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. F. Pangallo: I hope the minister doesn't break out into song or a joke.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Pangallo, you have a supplementary question.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!