Witton Bluff Base Trail Project

The Hon. L.A. HENDERSON (15:05): Supplementary question: is it in line with community expectations to take over 12 months to consider an application?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:06): I thank the honourable member for her question. What she seems to be alluding to, and she can say if it's not correct, is that one ought to override legislation that protects other aspects if they think there is a community expectation of it. What I don't endorse, what I absolutely do not endorse, is shortcutting, truncating or doing away with statutory provisions, whether they be environmental—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: —protections, whether they be Aboriginal heritage protections.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: What I certainly do not agree with—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: —and I will not agree with, is that there ought to be some sort of shortcutting and disregarding of Aboriginal heritage considerations or protections if there is someone in the community who thinks otherwise. I just don't agree with that one iota.

The Hon. L.A. HENDERSON: Mr President, the minister should withdraw. That is not the assertion that has been made.

The Hon. K.J. Maher interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Excuse me.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Stop wasting question time.