Legislative Council Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1) 55 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time COP31 COP31 The Hon. T.A. FRANKS Legislative Council COP31 The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:46): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Leader of the Government, representing the Premier, on the topic of COP 31. Leave granted. The Hon. T.A. FRANKS Legislative Council The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: The Premier's press release of 14 October last year states: South Australia has set its sights on becoming the host for COP31, the 2026 United Nations Conference of the Parties on Climate Change. One of the world’s largest…events, the conference gathers representatives from 197 nations to discuss and make decisions on climate change. The state’s bid reflects its strong commitment to climate action and renewable energy innovation, with South Australia already established as a global leader in decarbonisation. The state government recently commissioned a feasibility analysis, confirming Adelaide’s capacity to host this high-profile event in November 2026. With appropriate planning, Adelaide has the infrastructure, accommodation, and logistical capacity to welcome international delegates. In that press release, the Premier further stated that within the Adelaide Convention Centre and wider precinct is where the COP31 would be hosted and that it was estimated to bring some 30,000 people into the state and, further, that it would bring a quantified potential benefit to the state of $511 million. In discussion of the economic benefits of hosting a COP, these are usually quoted by COP itself as being some $100 million to $200 million. My questions to the minister representing the Premier therefore are: 1.	What do the Premier and his department intend to do differently from previous COP hosts to ensure such a significant economic benefit to South Australia—of some hundreds of millions of dollars more—should our state be chosen to host COP31? 2.	Is the feasibility study to be released, and does it indeed comply with all the requirements that COP sets to host one of their events? The Hon. K.J. MAHER Legislative Council Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Attorney-General Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector Special Minister of State The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (14:48): I thank the honourable member for her question. I will certainly pass on those questions to the Premier in another place and bring the honourable member a reply.