Council Amalgamations

Mr TELFER (Flinders) (14:53): My question is to the Premier. Does the Premier have plans for another plebiscite on council amalgamations and, if so, what councils will be involved?

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:53): No, at this stage there are no other plans for any other plebiscites that the government has. The plebiscite that occurred in the South-East had a strong result, and that might be celebrated by those in the opposition, but on this side of the house we take the view that we were genuine about wanting to engage with the South-East community on this issue. We thought the best way to do that—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier has the call.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: We thought the best way to do that would be the most democratic application of consultation that has ever occurred in a situation such as this. Having a democratic vote on a potential consultation strikes me as a consultation on a consultation, which lends itself—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: It begs the question: what is there to lose? It also begs the question: how much more consultation would the opposition like than a consultation on a consultation in the form of a democratic vote?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: This has been a really important opportunity that has come at virtually no cost to facilitate a discussion in and around the Limestone Coast. I think that it has been worthwhile. I'm very proud of the fact that this government has the most pro-South-East policy that has been seen in a long time. We have over—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Mawson!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —$100 million dollars' worth of policies that are specifically orientated towards the Limestone Coast in a range of different areas, everything from forestry to health to skills to education. These policies have been endorsed by a great number in the South-East, including, dare I say—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —by members opposite and we welcome that. We welcome the degree of bipartisanship—to an extent, a degree of bipartisanship—towards our endeavour in the South-East. Why do we do that? It's not just the obvious fact that Mount Gambier is the second largest city in our state. It actually speaks to the extraordinary opportunity that we see in the South-East of the state. We heard many cries from the member for Chaffey in the former government that #RegionsMatter, but just not when it came to the budget in the South-East.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Mawson! Member for Florey! Member for Hammond! Order! The Premier has the call.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: I had great pleasure in attending a very substantial event with the Chamber of Commerce in Mount Gambier only a couple of weeks ago, which was completely sold out. Let me tell you, those businesses know the difference between a Twitter hashtag and what we are delivering in real policy, in real money, on the ground, because that is the difference. The people of Mount Gambier and the people of MacKillop know it and I just invite you to go and ask them and they will explain to you the difference.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I see the member for Florey.