Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:37): I rise today to talk about a terrible event that happened in my local area 13 days ago, on 19 November 2020—the Yumali-Netherton fire, which started about 10 kilometres from my home and farm at Coomandook. It was started by a powerline falling into the crop, affected 15 properties and ran for almost 30 kilometres. In fact, it was such a big fire that, talking to many experienced farm firefighters and CFS firefighters, it was the worst fire they had fought locally in 50 years.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (14:28): My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Can the minister update the house about how the recent state budget will deliver better health care closer to home for elderly residents in the Adelaide Hills. With your leave, sir, and that of the house I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (21:00): I rise to speak to the Appropriation Bill that we have before us for the budget running in 2020-21. I must say that I am so pleased to see this massive infrastructure spend of $16.7 billion coming into the state so that we can build our way out of the issues raised by COVID-19. I really do commend the Treasurer, the Hon. Rob Lucas in the other place, because it certainly is not in his nature to spend money like this. I know that from advocating for projects in my electorate, where we have worked hard to make sure we get funding, so I know how fiscally responsible the Treasurer is. He also knows that we need to do something to bring this state out of the issues raised by COVID-19.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (16:11): I rise to say a few words after we have had the budget speech today, the biggest budget in this state's history. I just want to talk about a project that I worked on as an election commitment pre the last election in 2018 and that is the new emergency department at the Murray Bridge Soldiers' Memorial Hospital.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (14:34): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister update the house on how the Regional Growth Fund is building infrastructure investment and regional jobs?

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (12:39): I rise to make a contribution to the Statutes Amendment (Local Government Review) Bill 2020. I note there has been plenty of discussion at a range of levels and plenty of discussion inside the Local Government Association as to this review. I certainly understand that locally in my councils and across the state a bill that enhances the ability to manage behaviour better internally in councils will be widely welcomed.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (12:10): I rise to speak to this motion that was introduced by the member for Flinders:

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:24): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have not had the opportunity yet, but I congratulate you on rising to that esteemed position in the chair. I know that you are doing and will do a fantastic job for the parliament in this state.

Mr PEDERICK: My question is to the Minister for Energy and Mining. Can the minister update the house on how new petroleum exploration licences are driving investment by the South Australian exploration industry?

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:16): I rise to make a brief contribution and reiterate all the remarks by the member for Heysen and the member for Kavel, the Chair of the Public Works Committee, in regard to the report of the Public Works Committee, entitled Strathalbyn Residential Aged Care Facility Expansion. I note that I did look after Strathalbyn directly between the years of 2006 and 2010. As I understand it, I have something like 120 addresses attributed to Strathalbyn, so some of my people are obviously directly affected by this.