Shark Management

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:30): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries regarding sharks. We will see whether she answers it.

Leave granted.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: In response to a number of shark attacks in South Australia, the Premier announced that, within the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, there had been a task force of key agencies established to review the state's shark mitigation measures. My questions to the minister are:

1. What is being considered within the scope of the shark task force?

2. When does the minister expect to receive a report and recommendations from the shark task force?

3. What funding has been put towards the work of the shark task force?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:30): I thank the honourable member for her question. It certainly is the case that a task force was established following a number of shark attacks; unfortunately and very sadly several of those were fatal. It is a concern of many, and we certainly send out our condolences again to all those affected, both the friends and families of the deceased and also the local communities because these sorts of tragedies affect entire communities.

The task force has held a number of meetings and reviewed a variety of mitigation strategies that are used in all other jurisdictions as well as internationally. The task force was comprised of members from the following state government agencies, all of which have a role in the state's shark incident response plan: PIRSA, South Australia Police, State Emergency Service and the Department for Environment and Water. They were also jointed by Surf Life Saving South Australia. The task force also heard from a variety of stakeholders, including Surfing SA, RecFish SA and the Abalone Industry Association of South Australia.

The task force has evaluated current and potential future mitigation measures, based on a review of the scientific information available, as well as information from other jurisdictions. The task force also presented at the Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association meeting held at Wudinna, and information was provided to attendees on the role of the task force in light of the recent motion that had gone to that local government association regarding shark mitigation, which I understand was put forward to that LGA. I am expecting to have further information and we are of course working across agencies to consider next steps.