Motions

Sasanelli, Dr N.

Debate resumed.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (17:22): I wish to thank my honourable colleagues for their words about Nicola Sasanelli: the Hon. Russell Wortley and the Hon. Heidi Girolamo. Just briefly, since leaving the space centre at Lot Fourteen, Nicola is now with a new research firm, Agora, and only yesterday his third book, A dynamic and synergistic environment where STEM knowledge flourishes, was released with co-authors Elisabetta Dalfino and Brenan Dew. That book—and I have a copy of it here and I have started to read it—is all about thinking big, thinking creatively, thinking smart in developing a science, technology, engineering and maths culture.

Nicola and his fellow authors are striving to rekindle STEM interest in South Australia as the state tackles big projects in defence and also, his passion, space. Everything about Nicola is passion. It is in his Italian DNA but, of course, he is now a proud and most distinguished Australian and we are lucky to have him here in South Australia.

We also share a common interest, apart from our Italian heritage, in high-speed rail, especially connecting Adelaide with Melbourne. I had a coffee with Nicola at the weekend and we spoke about his plan, his vision, for South Australia to actually have a high-speed rail that will connect the South-East of the state along with the eastern seaboard of South Australia.

The Hon. C.M. Scriven: Hear, hear!

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: Yes, exactly, we want to see those regions expanded and the economy boom over there. Nicola is very confident that, if this project ever goes ahead, it will have enormous economic benefits for this state, increase interest in our regions and also develop those regions just like it has in other countries overseas. He has discussed it with the Premier, and I do not think the Premier was all that convinced by it because of the cost, but with the endorsements that the Hon. Robert Simms and I have been pushing for the state to start seriously considering high-speed rail, I hope this dream will become a reality. I totally agree with Nicola in that regard. I think you just need to be a big lateral thinker. Nicola Sasanelli is a big lateral thinker, and we need more people like that. I commend the motion to the chamber.

Motion carried.