Member for Frome, Government Agreement

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:47): Certainly. Given that the Premier has just informed the house that the offer to the member for Fisher was substantially the same as the offer to the member for Frome, can the Minister for Regional Development offer an explanation to the house why he did not take up the government's offer for a parliamentary committee for rural and regional affairs as part of the deal to form a minority Labor government?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Frome—Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Local Government) (14:48): As the Premier has just indicated, I have been in this position for probably about eight weeks. There have been some opportunities to look at putting an office for regional development in my office at Port Pirie. In discussions looking forward, the agreement is not set in concrete. It was very clear—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: We have moved along and, as the Premier has just indicated, there is a committee which has been approved by the cabinet last week which will be exactly what was in the news release the other day.

Mr Marshall: It is another agreement.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: It is not another agreement. It is moving on. It is looking at the best opportunity to represent all of regional South Australia. Mr Speaker, I would ask the leader—it is similar to what the opposition leader—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The leader is warned for the first time.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: —wanted for the member for Hammond as the chair of that committee. This is a similar committee, but it has a wide range of portfolios and will be reporting directly to the cabinet. I will be chairing that committee and working very closely with members on the other side. I have made it quite clear in my discussions and visits out to the regions that we have to work together.

This parliament is starting to work against each other. We have great issues out there, we have great challenges, we have great opportunities, and I am calling on all members of this house to work for the betterment of South Australia. We have lots of issues, and I am going to make certain we try to get the best outcomes for the people of South Australia, not for political parties.

The SPEAKER: A supplementary, leader.