Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-03-22 Daily Xml

Contents

RIVERLAND SUSTAINABLE FUTURES FUND

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (15:06): I have a supplementary question arising from the original answer. Can the minister advise whether any of the people she met with raised the issue of their irrigation entitlements, and what was her response?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises) (15:06): I am just trying to recall. I met with so many people. I cannot recall the irrigation entitlements being raised, to the best of my knowledge, with me. If they were raised, it was only raised in a very minor way in passing, which is quite amazing considering the length of time that I was there visiting. I find that remarkable if, as the honourable member believes, it was a significant issue for local members of the public to raise with me, the Minister for Regional Development.

I am sure that most of those members of the public would be aware that it comes under the purview of the Minister for Environment, unlike the honourable member, who seems to confuse portfolio responsibilities every day in this house. Indeed, the people of the Riverland are not as confused as the honourable member opposite me. As I said, it was not raised as a significant issue with me, but I would not expect it to be, because I know that members of the public in the Riverland would know only too well that it would be more relevant to raise that issue with the minister for environment.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Wade has a supplementary deriving from the answer.