Planning and Development Applications

Mr PISONI (Unley) (14:41): Supplementary, sir: in light of the minister's answer, will the minister meet with local residents to hear their concerns before making a decision on the Life Care applications?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Child Protection Reform, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for Consumer and Business Services, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:41): Good question. That is a question I will need to consider carefully, and the reason I say that is that—

Mr Knoll: Because you don't want to say no right now.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: This might assist the member for Schubert because he clearly doesn't understand the point, but as the decision-maker in this matter—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: —I must be both actually independent and unencumbered by having a bias, but I also must be seen to be independent and unencumbered by a bias—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I warn the member for Hartley and the member for Adelaide.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: If it is consistent with my role—and I will take advice on this—for me to be able to meet in some particular circumstance that is sufficiently settled, then I will consider that matter, but I can assure the member for Unley and those people who might be concerned about some of the proposals—and I emphasise the word 'proposals'—that have been floated by some of the groups that are seeking to take steps as a result of the development application opportunity, I emphasise that those people should be very much aware that I am taking advice from all quarters.

I am listening to the responses that are coming back, and nobody should make any presumption whatsoever that I have made a determination one way or the other. At this stage, I emphasise again that there is nothing more than a process being provided for people who wish to explore that process. There is no approval.