Page 1953 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 14 May 2013
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DR BOURKE: The question was, Madam Speaker: are there any plans to extend these proposed regulations for beekeeping to other insect species, such as perhaps butterflies?
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: I do not think there is any standing order against mocking people.
MR RATTENBURY: Perhaps there should be a standing order to that effect, but Mr Hanson would be in trouble far too often. At this stage no, there is no consideration of other species. The issue of bees has come up. Ms Berry has written to me off the back of a letter of concern from some constituents. It would be fair to say, I think, that was a very fair letter from the constituents, who acknowledged the value of having bees in a suburban environment but also expressed concerns about safety issues around bees for those people who are allergic to bee sting, and they cited some figures about the number of people in the community. I have sent you a reply today actually, Ms Berry.
Mr Coe: On a point of order—
MADAM SPEAKER: On a point of order, Mr Coe.
Mr Coe: Madam Speaker, Dr Bourke’s supplementary was simply about extending registration to other insects, including butterflies. I think the minister should address that supplementary.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Rattenbury, do you have anything to add in answering the question?
MR RATTENBURY: On the point of order, Madam Speaker, I was simply observing why certain insects might need a level of registration. That is the point I was discussing. But I am happy to leave it there.
Ms Gallagher: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Supplementary answer to question without notice
Energy—electricity prices
MR CORBELL: On 9 May Mr Smyth asked me a supplementary question in which he said:
… why did electricity go up 13 per cent in this financial year and is it the lowest increase in the country?
I am pleased to advise Mr Smyth that the main drivers of the 17.74 per cent nominal increase in the transitional franchise tariff determined by the ICRC on 8 June last year were increases in the wholesale cost of electricity, which accounted for 66 per cent of
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