Question Time

Member for Frome, Government Agreement

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:13): My question is to the Premier. When did the Premier provide an assurance to the member for Frome that the state government would fully underwrite the upgrade of the Nyrstar facility at Port Pirie?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:14): The final decision about that was made as a government, after we had formed government, on the basis of all of the relevant advice and information. What I made clear to the member for Frome, just as I understand the Leader of the Opposition did, was that he had our full support to ensure that we did all things necessary to ensure that this transformation project went ahead.

Naturally enough for the member for Frome, this was the most significant issue and a precondition to sitting down with anybody to talk about the formation of government—that they committed themselves fully to the notion of Nyrstar transforming its operations. I understand from the member for Frome that he received very similar assurances from both the Leader of the Opposition and myself about ensuring that we did all things necessary to ensure that this project was delivered.

Sadly, we were relying upon the remarks that were made by the federal government at the time. Indeed, the federal minister, Mr Robb, backed up by the then local member, Mr Ramsey, were waxing lyrical about how things were going swimmingly and how they were right in behind the Nyrstar deal, that it was going well, and that EFIC had signed off on it. In a very familiar scenario, what we have now observed is that the federal government has broken another agreement, meaning that the South Australian government has had to step into the breach—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —and we are proud to have done so, because not only have we secured the jobs of many thousands of South Australians in regional South Australia—we have not just saved those jobs—not only have we put ourselves in a position to save those jobs, but we have now ensured that there is a long-term future in prospect for this town. It is not just a short-term fix but a transformation project that will allow this particular facility to actually imagine a future for itself which is a long-term viable and sustainable future.

The other wonderful thing about it, and I know that the member for Frome shares this view, is that this part of South Australia—the southern Flinders—has for too long had a cloud over it, and it has been the emissions from the smelter. It is something that we need to lift not only in the interests of the health and wellbeing of the citizens and the natural environment but also to unlock the incredible tourism potential of the southern Flinders. Port Pirie should be the hub, should be essentially the gateway to the southern Flinders, but for too long it has had this stain associated with the emissions, and it's now in prospect that they can all be removed.

Mr MARSHALL: Supplementary sir.

The SPEAKER: Before the supplementary, the member for Hammond is called to order and warned a first time, the member for Heysen is called to order and warned a first time, the member for Finniss is called to order and warned a first time, the member for Morialta is called to order and warned a first time, the member for Chaffey is called to order, and the Treasurer is called to order.

An honourable member: Any more?

The SPEAKER: No, there was only one offence. The leader.