Biosecurity

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:30): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development about biosecurity.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: When asked in estimates about whether the government had a current state biosecurity strategy, the minister answered, and I quote:

My advice is that there are currently multiple policies in regard to biosecurity…We also have a number of documents in regard to our compliance with national protocols and national plans.

My question to the minister is: can the minister confirm whether South Australia currently has an endorsed whole-of-government state biosecurity strategy in place and, if not, why has the government only just begun to develop one now despite the escalating biosecurity risks and the passage of the Biosecurity Act some months ago?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:32): I thank the honourable member for her question. I do understand the shadow minister in this place has had a few tough weeks, being mocked on radio last week for her infamous interview and being forced to issue an apology for that performance where she said she was a bit tired. It had been a big week and so she was a bit tired. I understand why she would be—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —clutching at straws. What I think is unfortunate, though, and, indeed, very disappointing is that the shadow minister continues to undermine confidence in biosecurity in this state.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Undermines the confidence of biosecurity in this state.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) released a refreshed version of the state biosecurity policy in June, so within the past 12 months. The policy serves as a statement articulating the approach of the South Australian government's role in biosecurity while the state biosecurity strategy is being developed. The policy provides narrative on the government's intent, and it details the objectives and principles in the implementation of strategies and plans for South Australia.

The policy has been updated to reflect the current operating environment and the landscape of biosecurity within the state. As the honourable member may be keen to understand, it is available on the PIRSA website. It is publicly available. In fact, I have a copy here, Mr President, if the honourable member would like to avail herself of it—but, as we know, she doesn't actually like facts, she just likes a few cheap headlines or at least the attempts to do so.

It is concerning that the shadow minister is again seeking to undermine confidence in the state government's response to biosecurity. She can moan and whinge and be terribly tired as much as she likes, but the constant feedback I get is that those opposite, the shadow minister in particular, is particularly irresponsible in terms of her approach to biosecurity, which should always be bipartisan. That is the feedback I get and I think perhaps the shadow minister should reflect on that.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Ms Girolamo!