Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-07-02 Daily Xml

Contents

ADELAIDE SHIP CONSTRUCTION INTERNATIONAL

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:14): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Mineral Resources Development a question about Adelaide Ship Construction International's lease.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: Over a fortnight ago, I raised the question of Defence SA's sharp increase in rental demand from Adelaide Ship Construction International. For the benefit of the chamber, I reiterate that Adelaide Ship Construction's rent increased from $50,000 per annum to $108,000 per annum. In the minister's response, he stated:

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, who is handling this matter, is negotiating with Adelaide Ship Construction International. The government wants to reach a fair deal.

Similar sentiments of negotiating an outcome were echoed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries via several media outlets. When questioned about the minister's involvement, the Crown Solicitor indicated they had no further instructions from Defence SA. I have been in constant contact with Adelaide Ship Construction International and have been informed that the most recent communication from the Crown Solicitor's Office is that it is still making preparations to bring on the court action without any consideration being given to the possibility of mediation.

My question is: can the minister advise what, if any, negotiations have taken place with Adelaide Ship Construction International, and what progress has been made?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:15): I thank the Hon. Mr Darley for his important question. I understand that, this morning, Joe and Marijan Glamocak had a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (and I think Mr Darley may have there, as well), so the minister has provided me some information in relation to that.

As I understand it, the purpose of the meeting was to confirm the understanding of the process from here on, which is as follows. I believe that it is agreed and understood that the Glamocaks will lodge with their statement of claim with the relevant court. It is understood that, subsequent to that lodgement, a process of mediation will occur to assist in clarifying the issues in dispute with a view to reaching a position that the matters can be agreed. If, at the end of this mediation, the positions are not agreed then, obviously, this matter will need to be resolved through recourse to the relevant court. That is the information from the minister in relation to how that process will proceed. I thank the honourable member for his interest in relation to resolving this matter.