Senator MINCHIN (Special Minister of State;Minister Assisting the Prime Minister) (1:18 PM) —I thank opposition senators for their contributions, and I note in particular Senator Murphy's comments. As a very keen recreational fisherman myself, I sympathise with them, and I would hope what seem to me to be the decreasing stocks of whiting in South Australia are restored rapidly.

In relation to funding, which was the point I think picked up by several opposition senators, my advice is that the funding cut to the research body was a one-off in 1997-98 for particular reasons, and that a reasonable proportion of that was not simply a cut but was diverted to a fisheries adjustment program. In any event in this year's budget, the 1998-99 budget, funding for that research body has been fully restored and the budget for the management body has been maintained.

Senator Murphy —No, that is not right.

Senator MINCHIN —I stand to be corrected, but that is the advice I have received. No doubt you can pursue these matters in estimates, but I think we should stick with the facts and accept the bona fides of the government in this area. So I thank the opposition for its support of this bill.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill read a second time.