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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-11-15 Daily Xml
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Nuclear Waste

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:31): Can the Premier provide some clarity to the house that in fact the Labor Party convention could decide that the state party's policy is opposed to the nuclear dump in South Australia but Jay Weatherill and Labor would forge ahead with it against the party's policy in this state?

The SPEAKER: Before the Premier answers that, I call to order the leader for using the Premier's Christian name and surname, which he knows is highly disorderly and is going to lead to a spiral downwards in behaviour. The question is almost entirely rhetorical but, since he has decided to ask it in that way, I presume—and I say this more in sorrow than anger—it will be answered that way.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:32): It is my melancholy duty to answer it in that fashion. Of course, the state convention gave me permission to continue this discussion, but what we have opposite is this extraordinary position, this shape-shifting position, from one moment to the next. Just, please, could you enlighten us on this one thing: what happened between 8am and 10am? This must have been the fastest party room meeting that's ever been convened in the history of the Liberal Party. Who was spoken to? Who got the call? Who is on the inside?

What happened between 8am and 10am which allowed you to ultimately completely shift the Liberal Party position on this matter? This is absurd. Look at the genesis of the Liberal Party position in relation to this matter, Mr Speaker. What we had was a citizens' jury, a citizens' jury which expressed a strong opinion of opposition about continuing a nuclear waste facility in South Australia, and that of course was material in the Leader of the Opposition's conclusions about why the matter should not go ahead; in fact, he said as much. But what did he say about the citizens' jury process back on 11 May? He said these words:

'Let's be quite serious. The citizens' jury gave us cycling on footpaths here in South Australia. We do not think that this is the right methodology of making a decision as significant as a nuclear waste repository'...

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Did you read that first?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: You relied on it. The Leader of the Opposition relied on a process he described as 'flawed' to take his party into this position. How many of those opposite were let in on the secret before the fateful The Advertiser interview? How many opposite were let in on the secret? Don't you worry about them, they're fine.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I am trying to keep up with the disorderly behaviour but I cannot write that fast.

Mr Gardner: The Treasurer is undermining you, sir.

The SPEAKER: Yes, the Treasurer is warned a first time and a second time. The members for Mitchell, Hammond and Chaffey are warned a first time, and the member for Kavel. Leader.

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