MINERAL EXPLORATION

Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (14:36): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources Development. Can the minister inform the house of South Australia's mineral exploration expenditure in relation to the rest of the nation?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Correctional Services) (14:36): Yes, I can, and I would like to thank the honourable member for this very important question. I am pleased to make it known that South Australia's mineral exploration expenditure continues to improve with the year-to-date spend exceeding $200 million, according to the ABS figures released today.

Ms Chapman: You have got to dig it up first.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: With mining, size does matter, member for Bragg. In original expenditure terms, the total mineral exploration expenditure—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —across Australia—this is important—fell by 8.3 per cent in the March 2011 quarter, but South Australia's mineral exploration expenditure rose by 5 per cent to $62.6 million in the same quarter, bucking the national trend. Now, I know this is bad news for the opposition.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Point of order: I can't hear the honourable minister because—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the deputy leader!

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: —of the incredibly rude Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

The SPEAKER: Yes, the deputy leader will keep his voice down.

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Finniss, think about your wetsuit and be quiet.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I cannot add to that, but, as I was saying, South Australia's mineral exploration expenditure rose by 5 per cent to $62.6 million in the same quarter, bucking that national trend. Now, South Australia's mineral expenditure—

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I know that upsets the Leader of the Opposition.

The SPEAKER: Order, the Leader of the Opposition!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I know it upsets the Leader of the Opposition, but the March quarter is second only to Western Australia and ahead of expenditure in the Northern Territory and Queensland (excluding coal exploration expenditure).

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Point of order: just because the member for Croydon is not voting for the minister, doesn't mean he should be interjecting on his answer.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I think that was a frivolous point of order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: If there is an expert on not getting voted for—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —it is the member for Davenport. Mayo preselection—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —deputy leader, deputy leader vote and the leadership.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! We will stop the shouting across the chamber.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: You are the expert. South Australia led the country in copper exploration.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Finniss, you are warned.

Mr Pengilly: I didn't say a word.

The SPEAKER: Well, you were about to. You looked like you did.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Industry and Trade.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Good old-fashioned Labor Speaker: round up the usual suspects, ma'am. South Australia led the country in copper exploration expenditure in both the March quarter and for the year to March 2011. South Australia's exploration expenditure for the March quarter is primarily targeted at copper and iron ore, although other commodities include base metals such as silver, lead, zinc, nickel and gold.

The South Australian government has worked hard in the last eight years to create a climate of certainty in this state that provides investors with the confidence they need to plan long-term investments in the mining sector. The government's Plan for Accelerating Exploration has been an incredibly successful program delivering extraordinary growth in the minerals and energy sectors for South Australia. Our new PACE 2020 initiative will continue to be a key driver for sustaining economic development through the minerals and energy sector.

PIRSA has approved mineral drilling projects in the 2010 calendar year totalling more than one million metres, an increase of approximately 35 per cent when compared with 2009 drilling works approvals. These figures are a credit to the government which has ensured this third consecutive rise in exploration expenditure. This is also double the South Australian Strategic Plan's target of maintaining exploration expenditure above $100 million per year. This government makes no secret that it is pro mining and I look forward to updating the house at every opportunity on our continued progress in this important industry sector.