The Hon. DUNCAN GAY: I direct my question to the Minister for Planning, Minister for Infrastructure, and Minister for Lands, representing the Minister for Primary Industries. Is he aware that the percentage of New South Wales that is now drought declared has increased to 9.4 per cent from 7.6 per cent last month? As I am sure the Minister is aware—because he, like me, drives around regional New South Wales— alarmingly 49.7 per cent of land is classified as marginal. Given those figures and the huge overlapping problem of flying foxes for Orange orchardists and locust infestation across a large area of New South Wales, how can his Government justify the continual removal of vital staff from the Department of Primary Industries?

The Hon. TONY KELLY: I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for his question and undertake to refer it to the Minister. As he pointed out, I am acutely aware of the differences between properties that are drought declared and those that are not in the State of New South Wales. So far this year my property has received five centimetres more than the average annual rainfall since Christmas Day, so fortunately the area in which I live is in good shape. However, I am acutely aware that, significantly, to the south and southwest, landholders are in a lot of trouble. As the seasons change and we move towards winter, the effects of the drought will deepen.

The Hon. Duncan Gay: And the locusts are coming in on their crops.

The Hon. TONY KELLY: Certainly the locusts also are a significant problem across the State. I will undertake to pass the question asked by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to the Minister and obtain a speedy reply.