Federal Voice to Parliament Referendum

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (15:18): My questions are to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development regarding regional South Australia. Is the minister concerned that her local area of Port MacDonnell had a result in the recent referendum of some 81 per cent no vote, indicating that she is out of touch with her own area, or does she think that the vast majority of voters in her area got it wrong?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:18): The reason for having—

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Point of order: the minister does not have ministerial responsibility for her electorate's voting patterns. If the member wishes to ask a question of the minister directly, she needs to cite the correct standing order, which she does not know the number of—and I am not going to tell you.

The PRESIDENT: No. The Hon. Ms Franks—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order, the Hon. Ms Franks! That's enough. We have heard from you. The question has been asked. The minister can provide an answer if and how she sees fit, as is per the norm in this place.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Thank you, Mr President. I thank the honourable member for her question because that is the customary thing to do, but for no other reason, I must say. I am very pleased that democracy is part of our nation's make-up. I'm very pleased that we have referenda when there is a significant item to be debated. I am very disappointed with the outcome of the referendum overall, but the fact that we have referenda and that we are a democratic country is something that we should all be very pleased with.