Game Council

Ms LEE RHIANNON: I direct my question to the Minister for Primary Industries. Who is the new Chief Executive Officer of the Game Council? Is Orange Councillor Glen Taylor involved with the Game Council and, if so, what is his role with the council? Is the Game Council in financial difficulties? Have representatives of the council been negotiating with the Government about a rescue package to assist the Game Council get through this period of financial difficulties? If there is a rescue package, how much money is the Minister considering giving to the Game Council?

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: There is no rescue package. This is obviously the sort of spin the Greens want to put on it because they opposed the Game Council from the beginning. They have been opposed to the whole concept and they are continuing the rage. I have been advised of speculation regarding the financial state of the Game Council of New South Wales, and I am aware of the intent behind the question. I have issued a statement rejecting those claims and will reiterate these comments to the House today.

The Game Council of New South Wales is properly and appropriately funded. The Game Council is not in financial crisis and continues to operate in line with the original design when it was created. The Game Council received an initial start-up grant of $1.25 million from the State Government in 2002-03, supplemented by a credit facility and revenue from game hunting licences. In 2004-05 the Game Council's budget allocation was $1.85 million. The budget allocation for 2005-06 is $2.36 million.

Recent media reports that the council will be out of funds by October 2005 are absolutely false, so most of the premise of the question is also false. The Game Council is moving forward with its long-term plans to eventually be self-funding. It is important to note that when the Game Council was created, there was no blueprint from which to build a new game hunting and feral animal management system like this one. Plans were laid and decisions made using the best information and experience available at that time. Clearly, plans will be adjusted as needed in the early stages of any new organisation and the Game Council is no exception.

It is an Australian first and this Government recognises the important role it plays in the management of conservation hunting in New South Wales. With respect to confidential records of the Game Council being released publicly, based on advice to my office, a document has been provided to some media outlets. The document in question was a working document created nearly a year ago and was never approved by the Chair of Game Council and never accepted by its committee of management. Therefore, it does not reflect what I understand to be the Game Council's position, nor should it be interpreted as such. I repeat that the Game Council is moving forward with its long-term plans to eventually be self-funding. In the meantime the State Government is providing the appropriate levels of support to ensure that it meets its obligations. The State Government believes that the Game Council has an important role to play in New South Wales and we will continue to work with the organisation to ensure its future success.

Ms LEE RHIANNON: I ask a supplementary question. How much revenue has been raised from licences in the last financial year? Who is the new chief executive officer of the Game Council, and is Orange Councillor Glen Taylor involved with the Game Council?

The Hon. John Della Bosca: Is this a job application, Lee?

Ms LEE RHIANNON: This was part of the original question.

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: The acting chief executive officer is Brian Boyle. They have not reached finalisation on who will be the person in the longer term. As for Glen Taylor's role, Glen works in my office in Orange and if he occasionally gets involved with matters to do with the Game Council, that is probably a good thing. I understand that there is considerable revenue from licences.

The Hon. Duncan Gay: Is that Glen Taylor, the Labor candidate?

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: Former Labor candidate. I have employed many people who have been candidates for Parliament and who, in fact, have served in this Parliament and the other Parliament. I believe that there are, except for the Greens, many talented people elected to this House who can contribute to the State in the long term. I will supply the member with an answer on the actual figure, but I believe that more than 4,000 licences were sold last year, which would have brought in considerable revenue.

[Questions without notice interrupted.]