Pastoral Board

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:23): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development around pastoral land. Does the minister believe that at least 50 per cent of board members on the Pastoral Board should be past or present pastoralists to ensure that there is practical experience and expertise on the board in managing pastoral land?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:23): I thank the honourable member for her question. I seek your guidance, Mr President, as I think this topic is directly related to a bill before the other place. Is it permissible under standing orders to respond to that question?

The PRESIDENT: It's before the other place, so it doesn't prevent us from discussing it in this place.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Thank you for that guidance, Mr President. There is already a provision in part 3 of the act for five of the six positions on the board to be for people with experience in pastoral leases. That includes three nominees who are nominated by the Minister for Primary Industries (obviously myself at present, and hopefully into the future), a nominee from Livestock SA and a nominee from Primary Producers SA. That enables there to be a very considerable engagement with those who have experience in pastoral land and, potentially, five out of the six positions could be held by such a person.