Cross Border Commissioner

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:23): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the primary industries minister a question about the Cross Border Commissioner.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Pursuant to section 9 of the Cross Border Commissioner Act 2022, the minister may appoint a person to act as the commissioner during any period for which no person is, for the time being, appointed as the commissioner. My questions to the minister are:

1. Has the minister appointed a person under section 9 of the act to act as the Cross Border Commissioner during this period where there is no commissioner?

2. If not, why not, given the minister's emphasis on the importance of this role in the past?

3. Will the minister concede that her failure to appoint an acting Cross Border Commissioner is another example of pretence without substance?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:24): I thank the honourable member for her question. The answer to the first question is, no, we haven't appointed a temporary Cross Border Commissioner. The answer to the second question, in regard to the reason, is that we have put arrangements in place so that queries can be dealt with for anyone who wants to approach the office of the Cross Border Commissioner. The third question was so ridiculous I won't deign to answer it.