MINERAL EXPLORATION, INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:16): I have a supplementary question, Mr President. The minister, when talking about BHP, mentioned 78 apprentices. Was he saying that they are Aboriginal apprentices, or what percentage is Aboriginal?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:17): I am talking about the indigenous participation program which is offering apprenticeships and traineeships. There is a very large workforce at Olympic Dam—it is in the thousands. So, those numbers are significant—96 with 56 graduates.