House of Assembly Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Resource Partnerships RESOURCE PARTNERSHIPS Mr ODENWALDER House of Assembly Little Para RESOURCE PARTNERSHIPS Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (14:32): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources Development. Will the minister inform the house of action taken to build partnerships between the minerals sector, communities and landholders? 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 RESOURCE PARTNERSHIPS The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Correctional Services) (14:32): I would like to thank the member for Little Para for his question. The outlook for South Australia's resource sector remains very positive. The diversity of our resource base, competitive production costs, a multitude of recent world-class discoveries, and South Australia's global reputation as a good place for mineral investment all bode well for our future resources. As our mining industry continues to gain momentum, it is essential that mining proponents work towards effective and respectful engagement with local communities. This government believes and puts in practice that maintaining a social licence to operate is the key to any successful exploration program or mining operation. Striking the balance between the expectations of mining proponents, farmers and regional communities is imperative, and to the continued growth of the sector— Mr Williams interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I'm not sure if the deputy leader has been around for the last three months, but perhaps with this hefty salary he could buy a newspaper and work out that this government is the one that banned mining in Arkaroola. We banned mining in Arkaroola, but if the opposition— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: If the opposition— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: If the opposition wants us to remove— Mr PENGILLY House of Assembly Mr PENGILLY: Point of order: the minister is launching into debate, not answering the question. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Finniss, but I think he has answered about seven questions from your side and he was responding to them. I ask him to go back to the original question and ignore those on the left. The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Two lines of questioning today from the opposition: one about bailing out Westpac and now about removing a right that Marathon has to explore that will put the taxpayer at jeopardy. They are the two things the opposition wants to do today. Madam Speaker— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —it was this government that implemented important legislative and regulatory changes to ensure the best outcomes for the state, industry and our communities. The changes recognise that landholders and communities require clear and timely advice about their rights and about the responsibilities of exploration and the mining companies which are seeking to access their land. The exploration of the mining sector requires world-defining procedures for access to land, security of exploration and mining tenure and predictable regulatory processes. This assists companies to commit to higher risks for investment in mineral resource exploration, new mine development and, of course, life-of-mine operations. Legislative and regulatory amendments reflect the state government's commitment to its principles of effective and efficient regulation of our mineral resources sector through best-practice management. One key change now requires comprehensive and relevant information to be supplied to landholders by explorers. This forms a critical part of the formal 'notice of entry' and the consultation on access to landholders' property. The feature story heading on the front page of the Saturday Advertiser dated 27 August 2011, 'Miners and farmers work hand-in-hand', illustrates that South Australia's regulatory framework and policies facilitate good working relationships. It shows that we have the policies and government processes which help ensure our communities are well informed— Ms Chapman interjecting: The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —on the rights and obligations of the mineral resources sector. And if anyone wants to mine in Bragg, I am sure they will consult with you well in advance. Furthermore, it recognises that the right balance of multiple land use— Ms Chapman interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Bragg, you are warned. Minister, resume your answer. The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Furthermore, it recognises that the right balance of multiple land use interests can create social and economic benefits for all stakeholders. Through open and honest communication, suitable templates for land access, compensation and land remediation can be agreed to by all interested parties in advance. The government has listened to the legitimate concerns of landowners, the mineral industry and the community and implemented reforms to assist the mining industry in working with the rest of the community for the best outcome for all South Australians. South Australia is recognised as arguably the world's best mining jurisdiction, and I am confident that this government, through the outstanding work of PIRSA, will continue to hold that title.