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The Hon. DUNCAN GAY: My question is directed to the Minister for Primary Industries. Is it a fact that growers of QX-affected Hawkesbury River oysters signed the contract for the clean-up of the river on only 2 November this year—a good five months after the Government's support package was announced with much fanfare? Is it a fact that this delay has been caused by the Government's lack of action in disposing of spoiled material? In the House on 23 June 2005 the Minister said:
… the clean-up of QX-affected oyster leases is one of the biggest and most pressing challenges facing the industry.
Does the Minister recall making that comment? In light of that comment, how does the Minister justify his tardiness in helping the industry to recover from the mass devastation caused by QX and resume production?
The Hon. John Della Bosca: That is a long question.
The Hon. DUNCAN GAY: It is a very good question and they have been waiting a long time.
The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is completely out of step with industry on this issue. The Government's generous $2.8 million package to oyster growers on the Hawkesbury River has been of immense value in at least giving them a potential new future. The Government was approached for this assistance package for the clean-up, plus a range of other items that the then Premier and I announced earlier this year. Honourable members will remember that procedures are in place for the massive clean-up of a large estuary that produced 15 per cent of Sydney's rock oyster production. The estuary will not be cleaned up overnight, as many arrangements have to be put in place.
The Hon. Duncan Gay: Five months is not overnight.
The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: It will not be cleaned up instantly as it involves a lot of work. I know it is easy for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to turn a complex problem into one that can be resolved overnight.
The Hon. Duncan Gay: Is 12 months a fair time?
The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: It will be cleaned up appropriately under contract with the current oyster farmers.
The PRESIDENT: Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order.
The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: Let us be very careful. Previous outbreaks of QX and other problems with oyster leases in other parts of the State have taken from 10 to 15 years to clean up, and some have still not been cleaned up.
The Hon. Duncan Gay: That is some clean-up—you haven't started!
The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has to get into his head that it is a massive process. It involves disposal issues. Where will the product be put once it is pulled out of the river, and under what conditions will the product be taken out?
The Hon. Duncan Gay: How long before you start—12 months?
The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: And the Government gave $2.8 million for it.