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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-02-02 Daily Xml
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Flinders Chase National Park

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:20): My question is to the Minister for Environment and Water. What consultation was undertaken with the environment groups associated with Flinders Chase National Park about exempting tourism developments from native vegetation regulations?

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Minister for Environment and Water) (15:20): I thank the deputy leader for her question through the Speaker. Many organisations have been involved in the consultation around the Reimagining Kangaroo Island project. In fact, on the radio this morning one of the callers said they found that the engagement and consultation had been thorough, it had been genuine, it had been authentic and it had gained really good outcomes.

Dr Close interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the deputy leader!

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: We have worked so hard to be able to bring the environmental and tourism groups together, and I know the last thing that the deputy leader and the opposition want—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: —is an agreement here. The very last thing that they want is an outcome that leads to a win for the environment and a win for the tourism economy on Kangaroo Island. In fact, the very last thing the deputy leader wants is a good outcome for Kangaroo Island here.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: She wants to continue to inflame the divisiveness that has been present on the west end of the island. I have worked. My department has worked. We have worked with the council on Kangaroo Island. We have worked with the tourism and hospitality industries and we have worked incredibly closely with the friends' groups down on the west end of the island, in particular with people who represent the various environmental—

Dr Close interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader!

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: —movements of the island, and we have brought those groups closer together. We have brought AWC, the Australian Walking Company, the company that the previous government gave $830,000-odd to to secure this project and we didn't complain about that. I don't think they consulted one bit. In fact, I know they didn't consult one bit on the concept of that multiday walk. But the deputy leader doesn't want—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: —these groups to come together. She doesn't want peace on the island with regard to this issue, but we are getting there and I am very, very confident—

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Mawson!

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: —that we have brought these groups together. Of course, the member for Mawson, the person who loves populism and divisiveness more than anyone else in this house, pipes up at this point.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: But we are bringing these groups together.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for West Torrens rises on a point of order.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: We are getting the task done and we are getting a really good tourism outcome as well.

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will resume his seat.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Sir, the minister has engaged in debate on two occasions. He has implied motives to both the deputy leader and the member for Mawson inappropriately.

The SPEAKER: Member for West Torrens, I remind that those matters, should they be matters of concern to individual members, are for individual members to note. I'm listening carefully to the minister and I certainly encourage the minister to bring his answer back more directly to the substance of the question. I remind those on my right and ministers in particular of standing order 98(a). Minister for Environment and Water? The Minister for Environment and Water has concluded his answer.

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