Question Time

South Coast Algal Bloom

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:23): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries on the topic of the algal bloom.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Yesterday in this place the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development stated on several occasions that we on this side of the chamber are not interested in attending the government's algal bloom forums, which is odd since we have had a representative at every forum thus far. The minister said, and I quote, 'I would encourage members to perhaps attend some of the public forums that are being run.' I have, Mr President. In fact, I attended the government's forum in Minlaton, where the minister herself was noticeably absent.

On the South Australian government's own website, under the section outlining what to expect at the algal bloom community forums, it is explicitly stated that attendees will, and I quote, 'hear from government leaders, including Premier Peter Malinauskas and Deputy Premier Susan Close'. My questions to the minister are:

1. Can the minister confirm whether the Premier and the Deputy Premier attended either of the algal bloom community forums held in Minlaton, obviously on the Yorke Peninsula, and Port Lincoln on Eyre Peninsula?

2. As the minister responsible for the fishing sector in our state, why didn't the minister herself attend the government's own community forum in Minlaton to listen to the concerns of local fishers, because there were many of them?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:25): I thank the honourable member for her question. The government team is attending all of the—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: If the opposition is interested in having an answer to their question, they might want to listen to it. The government team is attending all of the government public forums.

The Hon. H.M. Girolamo interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Girolamo!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I think key ministers include the Premier, the Deputy Premier and the other portfolios that are impact by the bloom, such as tourism and my own portfolio, obviously. I would have liked to have attended the Minlaton forum and, whilst I wouldn't have thought it was usual to talk about personal medical issues in this place, I was having intravenous antibiotics three days a week last week because I had a serious infection.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Girolamo, you will cease. Attorney-General! The honourable Leader of the Opposition, ask your second question, please.