The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (17:47): I thank all members for their contributions and for their support of this inquiry. I do think the fact that all political parties have spoken in favour of this demonstrates that this is an issue that transcends politics. It is something we are all concerned about. I look forward to this committee getting off the ground and being able to really look into the state government's response, what has been done at an industry level and at a departmental level, and also looking at what we can do to prevent this from happening in the future.
I note the amendment that the opposition is seeking to advance. I am not supportive of that, and that is simply because I have deliberately kept the terms of reference broad enough to capture a whole range of impacted industries. Indeed, if you look at the terms of reference, you will note that they include the 'Ecological, economic, cultural and social impacts of algal blooms including impact on community health and wellbeing.'
That, I think, includes the fishing industry as well as small business, as well as tourism, as well as all of the other impacted industries. I worry that if we start singling out individual sectors or industries in the terms of reference that could create a disproportionate focus on one area at the expense of others.
I think the point the Hon. Mr Hunter made is a fair one—that it is already a significant endeavour to get a committee like this up and running within the duration of this parliament. We do not have long left, and so to throw in something else that is a really substantial area of focus does run the risk, I think, of us running out of time and not being able to give the algal bloom matter the focus that it deserves. So I will not be supporting the Liberals' amendment, but I welcome the broad support for this inquiry and look forward to working with all political parties to get it off the ground.