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

Contents

CEDUNA QUARANTINE STATION

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:10): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries a question regarding the Ceduna quarantine station.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: The quarantine station located on the Eyre Highway just west of the town of Ceduna is a vital roadblock for biosecurity threats to South Australia's agricultural and horticultural sectors. Late last year in response to my questions about this station the minister indicated that negotiations were going on with the Western Australian government regarding a possible relocation of the facility. My questions to the minister are:

1. Will she indicate the current status of the negotiations with Western Australia?

2. Is it the intention of the Weatherill government to co-locate the quarantine station on or near the South Australian/Western Australian border?

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) (15:11): I thank the honourable member for his questions. In relation to the negotiations, they are ongoing; they continue. To the best of my knowledge the matters have not been resolved or fully explored. My understanding is that there are a number of different options and models being looked at and explored in those negotiations. Discussions continue and no final decision has been made.