Mining Tenements

Mr ELLIS (Narungga) (16:19): My question is to the Minister for Energy and Mining. Are landowners with land inside a mining tenement going to lose landowner rental distributions associated with mining? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr ELLIS: Landowners have received correspondence from DEM advising that, as outlined in the state budget, where previously the landowner kept 95 per cent of the rental distribution and the government 5 per cent, in the near future it will become fifty-fifty. Why is the government entitled to 50 per cent of their rent?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (16:19): Because the minerals are owned by the people of South Australia, that's why, and the tenements are owned by the people of South Australia, that's why. In fact, I know members in regional communities might not like this, but in truth people are receiving rent for property and a right for which traditionally they have not been entitled. That was extended by the government on the basis of trying to create greater social cohesion with people allowing people onto property, but the truth is the minerals that are being extracted and the tenements are the property of the people of South Australia. To extract those tenements, the benefits of those should go to the local community and the local community has a right to access them and that is why this decision was taken.

The SPEAKER: The member for Davenport who celebrates her birthday today; so for that you get a happy birthday question.