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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-02-25 Daily Xml
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Question Time

Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL (14:42): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking questions of the Leader of the Government, representing the Premier, on the subject of the nuclear royal commission.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL: As members would know, the draft terms of reference for this inquiry were published on Monday and, despite the period for public comment being very short at only seven days, some 309 submissions were lodged in that week. A number of people who made submissions also sent them to me, so I know that many of those submissions called for the terms of reference to include an investigation into the impacts of past and present nuclear activities in South Australia.

The reason so many people raised this issue is that, unless the royal commission looks at the industry as it is, it will not be able to properly determine what the impacts might be if it is expanded in the future. This is one of the most basic tools of research. You have to start with the present in order to assess possible future impacts. Nevertheless, it is clear from the published draft terms of reference that those calls fell on deaf ears. In any event, there are still over 300 submissions that I have not seen and, in fact, neither has anyone else, because they have not been published. My questions to the Premier are:

1. Why is the government keeping the content of these 309 submissions secret or, in other words, why won't the government publish these submissions on its website in the same way that it publishes other submissions made pursuant to a public call for comments?

2. If the submissions are not published, how can the public assess whose submissions are taken seriously and whose submissions are ignored?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:44): I thank the honourable member for his questions, and will be pleased to pass them on to the Premier in the other place and bring back a response. In terms of general comment, obviously members are well aware that on Sunday 8 February the Premier announced the establishment of a royal commission to allow South Australians to consider the role our state can play in the fuel cycle of the peaceful use of nuclear energy. This royal commission will look at opportunities and risks associated with the nuclear sector.

We want all South Australians to be able to explore this complex and often emotive issue, to look at the practical, financial and ethical issues raised by the prospect of greater engagement in this sector here in South Australia. Of course, we expect that there will be a wide range of views and evidence taken as part of the process, to which the Hon. Mark Parnell has referred. I am sure there will be many very deeply held views, but this process will allow all those who want to to have a say and to have evidence assessed to inform public debate.

I am confident that the royal commission will allow the facts to be presented in a way that enables all to engage in what is an important debate for the future of South Australia. As members would be well aware, the Premier has announced that former governor of South Australia Kevin Scarce will be appointed as the commissioner. I am advised that, in addition, a number of independent experts will be engaged to assist the royal commissioner in his work. I understand that the government is now consulting with the Hon. Mr Scarce in relation to those terms of reference and the appointment of the independent experts who will assist him. In relation to the detailed matters that the Hon. Mark Parnell has referred to, I will bring back a response.

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