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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-12-01 Daily Xml
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Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex

Mr PATTERSON (Morphett) (15:09): My question is to the Minister for Defence and Space Industries and Minister for Climate, Environment and Water. Does the minister support the Southern Launch Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex facility? With your leave, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr PATTERSON: On 4 November 2020, the now Minister for Defence and Space Industries said, and I quote:

I have serious concerns about the impact of this development on rare species and valuable habitat, and the risks it may pose for fire and damage to adjacent marine life.

I urge the government to consider alternative locations which do not involve compromising environmental values and overriding existing protections.

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water) (15:09): I thank the member for his question. I remain of the same view. I am not a decision-maker, I would point out. The Minister for Planning will be making a decision about whether or not that development is approved, but both as shadow minister and as—

Mr Patterson interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE: Am I not answering the question sufficiently clearly for you?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Flinders is called to order.

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE: Both as shadow minister and as Minister for Climate, Environment and Water and also for Defence and Space Industries, I remain concerned that every development that's undertaken in South Australia is done so in a way that is as environmentally sustainable as possible.

It is, in my view, regrettable that there is a proposal to have a launch site which is adjacent to where osprey are known to nest and where there is a heritage agreement over the native vegetation. I have raised those questions and I have said those to the company as well. That doesn't mean that I am not supportive of having a launch site, and I also recognise that I am not the decision-maker.

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