MANUFACTURING, INNOVATION, TRADE, RESOURCES AND ENERGY DEPARTMENT

Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (15:08): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy. Will the minister detail to the house what recognition the work of the Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy has received in its role in effectively regulating the state's resources industry?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (15:09): I thank the member for her question. This government is unashamedly pro business, pro mining and pro jobs. We recognise the benefits afforded to this state and the people of this state through the expanding resources industry. For over a decade, this government has worked tirelessly to foster a world-class regulatory framework that has seen our resources sector grow exponentially.

We have done so with a supportive, innovative, diligent and hardworking Public Service. Hardworking men and women of my department, DMITRE, day in and day out seek to grow opportunities for the people of this state, and their exceptional work does not go unnoticed. I am proud to inform the house that Dr Paul Heithersay PSM, Chief Executive of the Olympic Dam Task Force and Deputy Chief Executive, Resources Energy Group of DMITRE, is now what many in this place already know him to be: a legend.

Last night, Dr Heithersay PSM was awarded the prestigious Legend in Mining award at the Mines and Money conference in Melbourne. Dr Heithersay received the award for his role in guiding South Australia's transformation into a major destination for investment in mineral resources and energy.

Dr Heithersay's recognition at an international investment conference reflects on the high calibre of his work in the service for South Australians. With his help, South Australia has grown from a small-scale player into a globally-recognised location for investment in the resources and energy sector. His work has been instrumental in transforming the state's profile and I thank him, and indeed I am sure the entire house thanks him, for his exemplary approach and his hard work over the years.

In the past decade, Dr Heithersay has played a key role in implementing a trailblazing plan for accelerating exploration in PACE 2020, while also establishing the Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy as a one-stop-shop for investors. South Australia is recognised not only for the quality of its resources but also for the high standards of its regulatory framework and the regulators who assess and oversee the various resource and energy projects throughout the state.

The annual Legend in Mining award is selected by the editorial team at the London-based RESOURCESTOCKS magazine. Dr Heithersay joins previous recipients, including former Normandy Mining chairman, Robert Champion de Crespigny; former South Australian Labor minister for mineral resources development, Paul Holloway; and Professor of Mining Geology at the University of Adelaide, Ian Plimer.

In RESOURCESTOCKS' latest world risk survey, issued in October, South Australia retained its leadership, ranking as Australia's best, low-risk destination for resources investment for the fourth consecutive year. The recent Minerals Council of Australia Scorecard—that bastion of socialist activity—also commended South Australia as a national leader in mining regulation and administration, including clarity of processes, timeliness, compliance costs, government agency capability, predictability and certainty, and effectiveness.

None of this would be possible without the hard work, commitment, passion and drive of Dr Paul Heithersay PSM and his team. I know he would be humbled by this award, and he of course would be asking us to thank all of his team for making this possible for him. I am sure that the entire house would like to acclaim him a true legend of mining.