Vessel Monitoring Systems

The Hon. C. BONAROS (14:36): Supplementary: would the same decision have been made by this government in the absence of the federal grant that actually paid for the installation of the VMS, and can the minister rule out compliance costs—not implementation, but compliance costs—with the scheme?

The PRESIDENT: Minister, the first part of the supplementary is a hypothetical question; you can have an attempt to answer it. For the second part, I think I would like to hear your answer, if you can.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:36): I agree, Mr President, that the first half is hypothetical and speculating is not particularly helpful. My advice is also that Seafood Industry SA was supportive of the implementation of VMS and there has also been support in industry, although obviously it is not unanimous. As I mentioned, the implementation will be cost-neutral.