Mr PEDERICK: I acknowledge that this motion brought to the house:

(a) acknowledges that 27 September is World Tourism Day; and

(b) acknowledges the importance of tourism for the culture and the economy of South Australia.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:26): I rise to speak to the Public Works Committee's fifth report of the 54th parliament. The report is in regard to the South Australian virtual power plant project. This is obviously a project that is being looked at by the Public Works Committee because part of the phases of this work is around how much money is invested in the project. The issue is the potential for the project to go over $4 million, so for obvious reasons it goes direct to the Public Works Committee, which has looked at this issue.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:32): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister inform the house of how the state government is putting in place new measures to protect South Australia from fruit fly?

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:46): I rise to support this motion in regard to the first report into the emergency services levy 2018-19, moved by the member for Waite. I would like to acknowledge the amazing work of our volunteers and what they do right across the state in no matter what role they play, whether it is with emergency services or not. The simple fact is that without the many hundreds of thousands of volunteers in this state, the state could not function, and we would never have the ability to adequately pay for these volunteers on a wage basis.

Mr PEDERICK: My question is to the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government. Can the minister update the house on the state government's commitment to build the Penola bypass?

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (12:29): Thank you, Mr Acting Speaker, and I acknowledge the fine job you are doing today. I support the motion by the member for Waite:

That this house—

(a) recognises that 10 September 2018 is World Suicide Prevention Day and 13 September 2018 is R U OK? Day;

(b) recognises the importance of both these days in raising awareness and understanding about suicide and its prevention among the community; and

(c) acknowledges all the workplaces, community groups and schools organising R U OK? Day events to encourage conversations among their peers.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (10:35): I rise to speak to the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy (Ban on Hydraulic Fracturing) Amendment Bill introduced by the member for Mount Gambier. I note that the state Liberal team went to the election in March with a policy to ban unconventional fracking in the Limestone Coast region of the South-East for 10 years. We did deliver on this commitment immediately after the election and we imposed the 10-year moratorium, which will expire in 2028. No petroleum exploration or production project proposal for the South-East that includes unconventional fracking will be evaluated by our government for 10 years. That is an important position, and we stand by that position, as the minister has indicated.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (16:25): I rise to make a contribution about The Bend Motorsport Park. Several years ago, there was a search for a new motorsport facility in South Australia. Out of five locations, thankfully The Bend in the electorate of Hammond won the prize, and it is an excellent venue. Some three years ago, The Bend Motorsport Park was given approval, and construction commenced in 2016. In August 2018, The Bend held the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:56): I rise to speak to the Correctional Services (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2018. Obviously, I speak as the member for Hammond, and we have Mobilong Prison in my electorate, which has a long history spanning three decades. It was originally built for 160 inmates and now has room for over 460.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (14:29): My question is to the Minister for Energy and Mining. Can the minister update the house on recent milestones at Olympic Dam and its importance to the economy?