House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-07-22 Daily Xml

Contents

Marine Parks, Sanctuary Zones

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:09): My question is again to the Minister for Environment and Water. Does the minister accept that he was wrong when he stated to the house that the environment movement agreed on most of the changes in cutting back sanctuary zones? With your leave and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Dr CLOSE: On 13 May 2020, the minister told the house the environment movement, and I quote, 'agreed on most of the changes we are taking forward'. But in a letter to the minister dated 9 April the Conservation Council, Pew Charitable Trust and the Wilderness Society expressed their strong opposition to the proposed changes stating, and I quote:

It would be impossible to justify stripping away key parts of a well established, successful conservation asset that is delivering significant value to the state's economic and social health.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Time is ticking. It is your question time. Minister for Environment and Water.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Minister for Environment and Water) (15:11): No, I don't agree.