Sheep and Goat Electronic Identification

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:27): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development regarding the sheep and goat electronic identification.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Five days ago, the Western Australian government committed a further $22.3 million in addition to $3.4 million previously provided to assist their industry transition to a mandatory sheep and goat electronic identification system. Already, more than 400,000 electronic eartags have been distributed to WA producers. The minister repeatedly talks about the importance of biosecurity and traceability in this chamber, which I certainly support, but she is leaving South Australian producers in the dark and behind their interstate counterparts. My question to the minister is: is the Malinauskas government going to commit any funds to this rollout?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:28): I thank the honourable member for her question. The EID rollout is incredibly important because traceability is incredibly important. As I have repeatedly said in this place, it is important that this is also industry led and that is what has been undertaken by this government: to work closely with industry to ensure that the implementation—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —and rollout can be done in a way that is systematic and meets the needs of South Australian producers. This is a constant theme from those opposite and from the Leader of the Opposition.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: If she and the Liberal Party do not support the identification—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —of electronic identification for farm sheep and goats then she should say so. If she doesn't support improved traceability, if she doesn't support EID, if she wants to continually undermine the process—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: —which has been outlined numerous times in this place—

The PRESIDENT: Minister, sit down.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Point of order, Mr President.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Mr President, I am very interested—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order, the Hon. Ms Girolamo! Just sit down, the Hon. Mr Simms. I am on my feet now. Nobody speaks when I am on my feet. I am not going to put up with it. Today is a pretty important day for one of our members and it would be sad for you to miss it because I will throw you out for the day. Let's get on with it. The Hon. Mr Simms, what is your—

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I think you have resolved the matter, Mr President.

The PRESIDENT: Right. Minister, conclude your answer, please.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: As I was trying to say, if those opposite don't support improved traceability, if those opposite don't support the implementation of electronic identification—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —for farmed sheep and goats, if they don't support these measures, which are supported by the peak industry, then they should say so.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Minister, sit down. The Hon. Ms Lensink, you have a point of order?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: The minister is trying to put words into members' mouths and verballing the opposition.

The PRESIDENT: I am sure the honourable member will have her opportunity to rebut that. Minister, conclude your remarks, please.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: If they don't support EID they should say so.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Mr President—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: No—

The PRESIDENT: Order! No, you are not having a conversation with him, you are having a conversation with me. Look at me.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! You have a supplementary question?

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Personal explanation, Mr President.

The PRESIDENT: Do you seek leave to make a personal explanation?