Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-05-29 Daily Xml

Contents

PHYLLOXERA

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (15:27): I have a supplementary question. Can the minister advise the house whether the minister will be accepting the phylloxera board's recommendations from last night, namely, that they go back to the proven, tested way of ensuring that phylloxera does not enter South Australia? Will she be endorsing and signing off on the board recommendation?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (15:27): The board operates independently of government. I would be a very foolish minister to be directing people who are employed for scientific knowledge and technical expertise in terms of the way they should operate. I think that would be a very foolish minister indeed.

I have already put on the record in this place that I think that the decision that the board has made is a good one. I have already said that. I do not know how much more support I can give. I have already said that in this place, but I will say it again in case the honourable member did not hear it the first time. I said I think it is a good move and I look forward to seeing the results of that consultation. I am happy to put that on the record again. I am not too sure how much more supportive I can be without directing the board.