Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-07-01 Daily Xml

Contents

BURRA MONSTER MINE RESERVE

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:29): Can the minister confirm whether anybody from PIRSA minerals will be attending?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (14:29): I thought I answered that by saying that normally the role of departmental officials in meetings such as this is to, at best, observe and, if necessary, provide information; but it is not normally the role of departmental people to be involved actively in the debate for or against this particular proposal. I will see whether the department intends to send anyone as an observer or to provide information in relation to that particular meeting. It is normal that a public meeting is held. I am not certain whether Monday's meeting is part of the statutory process or whether it is one that has been called by the community.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Well, in that case, it is obviously not the formal one, but I guess whether the department official goes would depend on the nature of the meeting and whether they were invited, and what their assessment was. As I said, it is normally the role of the department to provide advice rather than become directly involved in the debate, because they will ultimately make the recommendation to the minister in relation to what action should be taken.