Botanic Gardens of South Australia

The Hon. J.M.A Lensink comments on The Hon. I.K. Hunter's remarks to The Hon. T.T. Ngo regarding the Botanic Gardens of South Australia.

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:54): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Will the minister tell the chamber of some of the recent initiatives funded by the Botanic Gardens and how these are having a positive effect on visitor numbers and interest in the gardens?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (14:55): I thank the honourable member for his very important question. It is worth reminding everyone in this place about how fortunate we are to have the Adelaide Botanic Garden and the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden at our doorstep. It is easy to take these beautiful open spaces—

The Hon. J.M.A. Lensink: You wanted to sell them. You were going to sell them a few years ago.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: The Hon. Michelle Lensink is enjoying her return to the chamber, Mr President, but unfortunately the information she is trying to provide is completely wrong. She might be referring back to a former Liberal plan. We will allow her that lapse. It is easy to take these beautiful open spaces for granted because they are such an integral part of our cityscape. I would like to take a moment to talk about these important institutions and the fantastic work that the staff at our gardens have been doing to promote them, both locally and internationally, and ensure that they offer something for everyone.