House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-09-16 Daily Xml

Contents

MYRTLE RUST DISEASE

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (14:52): My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, if he is going to grace us with his presence.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: I will take it.

Mr PEDERICK: You will take it? Where is he?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr PEDERICK: My question is to the minister for agriculture, the absent one. Can the minister elaborate on his answer and properly inform the house what steps are being taken to identify and combat the possible spread of myrtle rust in South Australia? When asked about myrtle rust during question time on 14 September 2010, in spite of believing he is the world's greatest agriculture minister, the minister's answer was vague and he appeared unsure what myrtle rust was.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Energy) (14:23): I am a gardener of some note. I very successfully grow parsley and I have a worm farm, so I think I am well qualified, and I have no doubt—

An honourable member: Here he is.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: —that the battle against myrtle rust will be fought by this government without mercy and without compassion. We will fight myrtle rust in the trees and probably only in the trees, because I do not think it happens anywhere else.

Members interjecting:

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I think we need to bring some order back to this place. You have 12 minutes left of question time. Can we please get back to being a bit more sensible.