Question Time

Nuclear Waste

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:29): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Given the potential for a major emergency to occur during the transport and storage of nuclear waste, and given that the minister now owns a property in Croydon and is likely to be the next member for Croydon, either before the next state election or after, and likely to be a contender to be the leader of the state Labor Party, does the minister support the establishment of a nuclear waste dump as being pursued by the Premier?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:30): Thank you to the Hon. Mr Ridgway for his question. Today, the government has, through the Premier, appropriately responded to the royal commission into the nuclear fuel cycle. I think the Premier's response, which is wholeheartedly supported by all members of the government, and not surprisingly myself as a cabinet minister, is an appropriate and proportionate response because it takes into account the findings of the nuclear royal commission combined with some of the feedback that the government has received through the most extensive public consultation process that this state has ever seen.

I for one am incredibly proud to be part of a government that is willing to listen to what the feedback of community members is, and is willing to contemplate the recommendations from a significant and substantial royal commission undertaken by a pre-eminent South Australian, without jumping the gun, without a rash response, without a response that is defined by the 24-hour news cycle, as distinct from a response that is based on evidence, based on public consultation and, heaven forbid, a response that is based on a little bit of conviction, something that is sorely lacking, not just in the Leader of the Opposition but particularly lacking from members of his own party room who are more than willing, for the sake of political expediency, to defy what they genuinely believe is in the state's interest.

I am proud to be part of a government with a proportionate response, a response that takes into account an evidence-based approach, marrying up with and taking into account legitimate concerns of the South Australian public.