Drought

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:24): Further supplementary: why haven't these roundtable discussions been organised on a day when the minister herself can attend in person, and does the minister concede that by not rocking up to the community she is not acknowledging the dire nature of the drought and its effect on regional communities?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:24): I thank the member for her further supplementary question. Clearly, she is not listening to the answers that are being given in terms of the purpose of the round tables. I think if those opposite did want to listen—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I appreciate that interjections are out of order, but again the member is contradicting herself even in those interjections. Is it about—

The PRESIDENT: Interjections are out of order and so is responding to them.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: So the purpose of the round tables is to be able to hear from industry bodies—

The Hon. K.J. Maher: She's been doing it all night, ref.

The PRESIDENT: You're not that helpful.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —about the way the drought is affecting—

The Hon. N.J. Centofanti: It's for you to hear as minister.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —about the way the drought is affecting them and members in their communities. I have a large number of different ways of interacting with the communities, with listening to farmers, as I have already outlined today as well as on previous occasions.

The Hon. N.J. Centofanti: How can you listen when you don't rock up?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: The honourable member obviously doesn't listen to the answer that I give. I talked about just recently meeting with primary producers along with the Premier.