Will the Minister advise the House whether New South Wales includes fish amongst its recognised State emblems?
The Hon. R. D. DYER: The Hon. A. B. Kelly has an undoubted and extensive interest in marine matters, particularly relating to fish. It is very timely to talk about the recognition of fish as State emblems in this the International Year of the Oceans. The recognition of fish as an integral part of the environment has never been greater than under this Government. Sound policies to promote the conservation of fish species and the sustainability of the fisheries resource are some of the many hallmarks of this environmentally-aware Government. It is therefore with great pleasure that I advise the House that the Government has achieved yet another first for New South Wales. The eastern blue groper will be declared the State fish emblem, a first for any State or Territory in Australia. The eastern blue groper joins a select band of flora and fauna chosen as emblems in New South Wales: the platypus, the kookaburra and the waratah. While other States and Territories have animals, birds and flo
