Fish Deaths

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:37): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Primary Industries a question regarding the significant hatchery mortalities at the South Australian Aquatic Sciences Centre and at the Robarra barramundi hatchery.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: The SARDI report released in March this year investigated large-scale mortalities in finfish and shellfish at SARDI, but it also included barramundi mortalities at Robarra's barramundi hatchery, where approximately 183,000 fingerlings and 11 brood stock were lost. While the report examined multiple potential causes, it was ultimately inconclusive due to the lack of water quality data given at the time of the event. Notably, it was unable to rule out the possibility that dissolved contaminants linked to nearby dredging activities may have contributed to the losses.

Given this, my questions to the minister are: will the government provide full compensation to Robarra for the significant commercial losses incurred, given that the official investigation could not rule out dredging activity conducted under a government-managed program?

The Hon. K.J. Maher interjecting:

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Absolutely, Attorney. When will the government commit to an independent investigation into the deaths at SARDI, West Beach and Robarra, considering—

The Hon. K.J. Maher interjecting:

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: He doesn't like this question.

The PRESIDENT: The Attorney is going to answer the question when the time comes, but can you conclude your question so we can get an answer.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: I will try to; thank you, Mr President. When will the government commit to an independent investigation into the deaths at SARDI, West Beach and Robarra, considering their own governmental report into the mortality event was inconclusive?

The PRESIDENT: Attorney, did you want to have a go at this one?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Do you want an answer? Stop talking to the Attorney.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:39): The SARDI report was independently peer reviewed by Professor Michael Goodsite, an expert in civil and environmental engineering, with its findings supported by that peer review. The Leader of the Opposition in this place appears to be suggesting that, because one thing cannot be ruled out, government must take responsibility for that. It is a bizarre type of argument and it is quite fascinating. I must say I find it quite fascinating—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I find it quite fascinating how I have heard the Leader of the Opposition in other forums talk about how their party is the party of small government, of less government, and yet here in this place, day after day, week after week, month after month, they want government to expand. They want government to expand day after day, week after week, month after month. What is their solution? More government intervention, that is what they say time and time again and it just shows their hypocrisy.

The PRESIDENT: Okay, that's enough. I have had enough.