Mining Industry

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:30): My question is to the minister for mineral resources and energy. Does the minister support a right for farmers to veto mining on freehold land?

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart—Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:30): I think I have made it very clear that I don't support that and I'm very happy to talk about the topic. I understand why farmers would like a right of veto. I understand. Do you know what, Mr Speaker?

Mr Malinauskas: Your consultation is faux consultation.

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition is warned for a second and final time.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Do you know what, Mr Speaker?

The SPEAKER: Tell me.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: If I was a farmer, I would want a right of veto. It makes perfect sense. I understand why they want it. I am not a farmer: I am the Minister for Energy and Mining. It is my responsibility to lead the discussion within our party. We will make decisions collectively on where we go. There is not one of us—

The Hon. A. Piccolo interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Light, you can leave for half an hour today under 137A. You have been doing it all day.

The honourable member for Light having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: There is not one of us who is arrogant enough to think that our personal view automatically becomes the party view. That might be different over there, but we are collaboratively working together on all the issues that we are dealing with on behalf of the people of South Australia.

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell: Don't put up with it, Fraser.

The SPEAKER: The member for Mawson is called to order.

Mr Ellis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Narungga is called to order.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Our government is solid and united, but it does not mean—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left!

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: —that we are not allowed to have different opinions on issues. That's what they can't understand.

The Hon. V.A. Chapman: They are not allowed to do that.

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier is warned.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Let me just tell you, when it comes to right of veto and my personal view—

The Hon. S.K. Knoll interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Transport is called to order.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: —I don't think it's right, but I am very willing to listen to people who have a different view to find more information. The reality is that freehold landowners own the surface of their land, and in farming circles, and I am sure in residential and commercial, overwhelmingly people have had to work incredibly hard to get that land. They want to protect it; they want to control it—fair enough. But guess what? This is not about farmers versus miners. It's actually all South Australians who own the mineral rights under that land.

This is about finding a way forward that farmers can be comfortable with and also without reducing the rights of all South Australians. Every South Australian has a right to the mineral resources under that land. We need to find a balance. My opinion is my opinion; I share it quite openly, but it is not the thing that determines our position. It's not something I am shy to share. Mr Speaker, as you know, on our side we are allowed to share our opinions. But when it comes to determining legislation—and I am aware that I cannot talk about particular legislation before the house—

The SPEAKER: Yes.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: —we do what is best for everybody in this state. We will find a way through this that is positive and sensible and offers improvements for all concerned. We actually want to get on with this. We want people who will receive benefits from legislation that we bring to this parliament to get them as quickly as possible, and then we want to move on and look for future improvements and find more ways for the state to benefit. We are determined to do that. We will do that, and that is in stark contrast to the opposition, which has a position, which it has told everybody in the world, and they are playing politics with this issue for no other reason than to support themselves and not the state.