Ministerial Statement

Cycling Citizens' Jury

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:36): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Ever since assuming the position of Premier, I have asserted the importance of involving everyday people in decisions that affect their lives. One way this government has sought to do this is through the establishment of citizens' juries. A few weeks ago, I released the government's response to the report of our state's second citizens' jury.

Based on the jury's advice, the government will make a number of changes to help all road users to get home safely, including two changes to the law—minimum overtaking distances and riding on footpaths—that will be presented to this parliament. It is a great credit to our citizens' jurors that they have responded so constructively to the challenge that was presented to them to put aside their first impressions, to deliberate carefully and to reach considered judgement about what was in the collective interests of their fellow citizens.

I also note and look forward to the outcomes of a similar process that has been established by the South-East Natural Resources Management Board where 26 randomly selected citizens have formed a community panel to consider the fairest method to share the cost of maintaining the drainage network in that region.

I can assure the South-East community and the members of that panel that the government will assign an equal level of respect to your report as it has reports from the first two citizens' juries that have been more focused on the metropolitan area. Indeed, the responsible minister in the other place has committed to tabling the panel report in the parliament.

Whether it is the nature of the taxation system, the role nuclear industry will play in the future of our state, or what time zone South Australia should have, this government is committed to involving everyday South Australians in decisions that will affect their lives. We accept that it is the government's role to lead but also to facilitate informed debate.

On behalf of the government, I extend my thanks to the 37 jurors who participated in our most recent citizens' jury. I assure them that this government is committed to finding more ways that people like them can have genuine opportunities to influence government decision-making at all levels.