Outback Communities

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (14:27): My question is to the Attorney-General. Can the minister inform the house about the Marshall Liberal government's plan to improve the lives and the economic recovery of South Australia's outback communities?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government) (14:27): I thank the member for Chaffey, who of course has a large slice of the outback region of South Australia in his electorate. Sixty-three per cent of our state, housing some 4,500 people, live in the outback. They don't have local councils to look after them. They have the Outback Communities Authority, which, in my again newly minted role—thank you, Premier—as the Minister for Local Government, is now under my watch.

This authority is essentially based in Port Augusta, although we have a couple in Leigh Creek at present, and they are doing great work. The first of the local government people I went to see as the new minister, of course, was the Outback Communities Authority. Incidentally, in addition to providing some management overall of the public facilities in outback communities and all of the regional towns and settlements, importantly they are a voice to be able to directly provide input as to what support government can give and what the community might require to ensure that the outback has sufficient amenity to live, work and visit safely.

The remoteness of the outback and access to goods and services is really somewhat different from what we enjoy in many ways in the metropolitan area. They have to travel great distances. They have to sell livestock, access medical supplies and travel large distances often to visit family and friends. Clearly, they have had some prolonged drought issues in that region and it's been a challenge. Coober Pedy, William Creek, Andamooka, Port Augusta, Marree, Blinman, Yunta, and Penong are just part of the areas that are looked after—and all of the space in between. We often forget about the people who live in between major settlements.

Recently, in Port Augusta they had a meeting to discuss the structure and how that might occur. Trevor and Helen Williams, who are pastoralists in the Minister for Energy's area, and members of their family and others, came to the meeting to outline their concerns. Let me tell you, the number one issue for them was roads and the importance of making sure that we improve the outback roads. We obviously were pleased to see that they were thrilled about the Strzelecki Track announcement and the $10 million funding to seal the first 50 kilometres. I reported good news about the dog fence, which indeed the member who asked me about that had been pioneering with federal colleagues—very happy about that.

But there are real issues they face, even in COVID. Trucks of cattle going down to abattoirs in Victoria find they are closed and they have to be trucked all the way back. This is the real life of people who live in these remote communities. I would also like to thank Trevor Wright, who managed to fly over and pick me up to ensure that I was able to meet with this group. I really do appreciate hearing from local people visiting out at Anna Creek to be able to identify what issues they have with water, dams, pastoral issues, and opportunities for tourism development. They were also very thrilled to hear about the Premier's announcement of the $20 million on the table, ready to go, for initiatives.

For anyone who would like to visit William Creek at any time or indeed any of the fabulous outback regions. I would encourage you to go. It's a big economic area for the state. We should never forget that. They do require our attention, our support and, obviously, the development of the provision of services—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —which they must have to enable us to enjoy the fruits of their endeavours in the outback on our behalf.