House of Assembly Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Motions Regional Assembly REGIONAL ASSEMBLY The Hon. R.B. SUCH House of Assembly Fisher The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (12:30): I move: That this house calls on the Speaker to consider holding another regional sitting of the parliament. As members who were here at the time would be aware—certainly the member for Croydon was—when we had a regional sitting at Mount Gambier (which went very, very well), there were some critics who said, 'Look, it's a waste of money.' Democracy is never a waste of money and, apart from the actual parliament itself operating in a regional centre, members, ministers and shadow ministers get out and about in that area, and so they inform themselves about the issues in that regional area. Due to a range of circumstances, I was the Speaker at that time, following the departure of the Hon. Peter Lewis from the chair, and in my assessment it went very well. The cost in the future will not be anywhere near as high as it was in Mount Gambier because we already have the mock-up benches and a lot of the other infrastructure, and there was a financial benefit that came as a result of developing new technology. As I understand it, Hansard uses that improved technology as a result of that sitting of parliament. When people quoted a figure—I forget what it was, several hundred thousand dollars—members have to remember that that cost will not be replicated because we already have the mock furniture and the other infrastructure, and we have the benefit of improved technology which has an ongoing benefit to the parliament. The question is: where do we have the next one? I understand the Speaker is keen to have it somewhere in the area of Whyalla, Port Augusta or Port Pirie, and I think that makes sense. I understand the Army is acquiring a lot of land around Whyalla, so perhaps we could combine the sitting of the parliament with some combat. I think the so-called Iron Triangle would be an ideal location. The Riverland also has a strong claim. I believe there is merit. Queensland has been hosting regional parliaments for many, many years. I went to the one in Rockhampton; it was fantastic. That is where I saw the sin-bin in practice, that is, sending members out for five or 10 minutes. I commend this motion to the house. I do not think it requires a long speech from me, but I would urge the Speaker, the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition and other interested members to get behind this proposal and to consider it in light of what are, in reality, modest costs for bringing the parliament to people in a regional area, as happened in the case of Mount Gambier. Mrs GERAGHTY House of Assembly Torrens Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (12:33): I make the point that the Premier has already made a statement indicating support for this and therefore I think it is a bit superfluous. Debate adjourned on motion of Mrs Geraghty.