Kangaroo Island Country Cabinet

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:55): Supplementary: was the issue of blue gum wildings raised with the government while they were holding their country cabinet, and what action are they taking?

The PRESIDENT: I never actually heard anything about that, but the minister is happy to take it.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:55): I thank the honourable member for his question. It certainly wasn't raised with me, and I don't recall it being raised at the public forum. Certainly, matters about roads and matters about health were raised at the public forum.

Having attended country cabinets as a minister in the Weatherill government and having attended four as part of the Malinauskas government and quite a few in opposition, it was very unusual that quite a number of the questions didn't involve questions but were general comments about what the government has done for that community, such as supporting it after the bushfires. The level of response and goodwill towards a government at a community cabinet stood out to me as unusual, but that issue wasn't raised with me and I don't think it was raised as part of the forum.