Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (17:21): I rise to discuss the Shop Trading Hours (Extension of Hours) Amendment Bill. Certainly, as country members, essentially we have been in the 21^st century for all of it and have extended shop trading hours, but I will talk about that more shortly. We absolutely welcome the proposal to extend shop trading hours on Sunday mornings, opening them at 9am rather than the current 11am, and we also support the proposal to secure Black Friday trading and changes around additional public holidays.

The Labor Government's plans for the Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access Upgrades project have completely missed the mark and go nowhere near the purpose of the project under the Marshall Liberal Government. 

Below is the condolence speech I gave on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 

The Opposition welcomes Brett Loughlin as South Australia’s newly minted Country Fire Service (CFS) chief officer.

I was shocked and saddened to hear the news this morning of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (16:55): I rise to make a brief contribution to the Plebiscite (South East Council Amalgamation) Bill 2022, which involves the District Council of Grant and the City of Mount Gambier in organising a plebiscite for the good people of those two council regions to vote on whether they amalgamate those two councils.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:48): I move:

That this house commends the Marshall Liberal government for recognising the importance of regional South Australia and its communities, noting their contribution to our economy worth more than $29 billion per year, through—

(a) investing $3 billion across more than 1,000 regional projects;

(b) upgrading hospitals, doubling country cancer services and upgrading about 4,800 kilometres of regional roads; and

(c) implementing the Our Regions Matter blueprint following extensive consultation with regional communities about what is needed to improve opportunities for the 29 per cent of South Australia's population living and working outside the metropolitan community.

The Opposition is echoing concerns expressed by Country Fire Service (CFS) Chief Officer Mark Jones who said increased demand on volunteers means they are performing above their standard duties. 

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (14:44): My question is to the Minister for Local Government, Regional Roads and Veterans Affairs. When will the Eyre Peninsula road network under the Roads of Strategic Importance program be fully completed? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (14:39): My question is to the Minister for Local Government, Regional Roads and Veterans Affairs. Will the government upgrade the Murray Bridge to Mannum road? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.