House of Assembly Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Marathon Resources MARATHON RESOURCES The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON House of Assembly Croydon MARATHON RESOURCES The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON (Croydon) (15:05): Can the Minister for Mineral Resources Development tell the house what is happening with Marathon Resources' exploration licence in the Northern Flinders Ranges? Mr Pengilly interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Mineral Resources Development. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly West Torrens Minister for Mineral Resources Development Minister for Industry and Trade Minister for Small Business Minister for Correctional Services The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Correctional Services) (15:05): Thank you, Madam Speaker. First, I would like to pay tribute to the Hon. Paul Holloway in his role as mining minister. I have big shoes to fill, indeed; and I would like to thank the Premier for the opportunity to serve in this capacity. The Hon. P.F. Conlon interjecting: The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, a big hole has been left in the ground. An honourable member interjecting: The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Sorry? An honourable member House of Assembly An honourable member: Don't worry about it. The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Carry on? Getting close to Valentine's Day. Getting geared up for those dates? Yes? The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will answer the question. The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Following recent reports in the media, I think it is important that, as the new minister, I address the issue of Marathon Resources' exploration licence in the Northern Flinders Ranges. Contrary to some reports, Marathon's exploration licence has been renewed for a period of 12 months from yesterday. The company had originally sought a two-year renewal. As Marathon remained compliant with the Mining Act 1971 and the conditions of its licence, the government was legally obliged to approve the application for renewal. The exploration licence renewal is, however, subject to even stricter operating conditions in the interests of transparency. The conditions placed on the licence have been made publicly available on the PIRSA website. I am not going to list them all here, but, as part of the conditions, Marathon must minimise disturbance to the environment, obtain permission of the Director of Mines for new campsites or tracks or the upgrading of existing tracks and allow an inspector to examine the land at any reasonable time. In addition, pastoral leaseholders must be consulted on Marathon's work program and must be advised of progress at monthly intervals. Importantly, the renewal has been granted without an automatic renewal as a condition of the licence. It is also important to note that what has been granted is an exploration licence. This does not confer any right to mine the area, member for MacKillop. Ms Chapman interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order, member for Bragg! The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I was not the minister yesterday. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! Ms Chapman interjecting: The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, under cover of not being the minister, that's right. In addition, Marathon has been advised that the government is considering a range of possible conservation options which may involve exclusion, or limiting of mining, member for MacKillop. The Northern Flinders Ranges is an area of unique beauty, member for MacKillop, and the government is currently looking closely at all options for the future management of this region. We will be considering all options, member for MacKillop, to preserve its iconic landscapes, biodiversity, wilderness, and cultural, scientific and tourism values. Mr Williams interjecting: The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I make it very clear, member for MacKillop, that I do not say one thing in private and another thing in public. Members interjecting: The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: We are a government, Madam Speaker— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —that welcomes mining investment and the benefits that it brings to South Australians. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: But we are keenly aware— The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Minister, order! The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —that it must be balanced with— The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will be quiet The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —our commitment to environmental protection. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! I cannot hear a word that the minister is saying and I am sure that no-one else can, either. You will be quiet and listen to him in silence. If you do not want to listen to him, you are quite free to leave the chamber. Mr PENGILLY House of Assembly Mr PENGILLY: Point of order, ma'am. I can hear him but I cannot understand him. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: There is no point of order and that was very frivolous. Minister, would you like to finish your answer because I am interested in this. It is an issue that a lot of people in the state are interested in. The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, I agree. As I said before, I will be very clear. I will not be saying one thing in private and one thing in public. My position will be clear. Mr Williams House of Assembly Mr Williams: Your point is? The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: You know exactly what my point is. We are a government that welcomes mining investment— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —and the benefits that it brings to South Australians. Mr Williams interjecting: The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I will. I will say it outside, no problem at all. I will say it everywhere I go. I will not say one thing in private about this issue and another thing in public. Mr Williams interjecting: The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I will be very clear about it, member for MacKillop, but we are keenly aware that it must be balanced with our commitment to the environment and our heritage protection.