Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (12:29): I move:

That this house—

(a) recognises the significant value of the agricultural industry and thanks those primary producers who secure over $17 billion per annum to the South Australian economy;

(b) notes that the sheep industry is forecasting the worst fall in prices since 2014, policy-induced disruptions to the sector, and the highest cost of doing business in history; and

(c) calls on the Malinauskas Labor government to condemn the policy actions of the federal government, which is harming the sheep industry and the agricultural sector more broadly.

The Liberal Opposition has welcomed the announcement of a $168 million investment for a series of safety treatments across some of the state’s most problematic regional roads.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (16:27): I rise to make a contribution to the Statutes Amendment (National Energy Laws) (Wholesale Market Monitoring) Bill. It was back on 8 June 2022 that energy ministers agreed to consider additional legislative reform, and that this was having a look at options to enable new gas and electricity contract market-monitoring powers as an immediate priority for introduction into the South Australian parliament, to ensure that the Australian Energy Regulator has the full information and visibility it needs.

Popular rideshare service Uber has called on the Malinauskas Labor Government to expand private transport options in the regions.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:40): I rise to speak to the Innamincka and Moomba fact-finding visit. Apart from having a longstanding interest in that area, I worked there 40 years ago and have made multiple trips since. It is a fantastic part of the world. There is oil drilling and exploration, and obviously gas in the Cooper Basin through to Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:19): I rise to support this committee report into the South Australian Produce Market's biosecurity actions that they are taking to protect this multibillion dollar industry that runs in many corners of the state. Angelo Demasi and his team do a magnificent job. This is a huge project which goes to making sure we keep fruit fly at bay. We note that many, many tens of millions—it is probably running into the hundred of millions of dollars in recent times—have been invested to control fruit fly throughout the state, whether it is the outbreaks that occur in the Riverland or in the city of Adelaide and other places. It is vital that this work continues at whatever level.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley) (12:29): I move:

That this house—

(a) condemns the outcome of the federal government's 90-day infrastructure review;

(b) condemns the axing of the following five key infrastructure projects in South Australia:

(i) Hahndorf township improvements and access upgrades, including the $45 million Mount Barker interchange;

(ii) Truro freight route;

(iii) Onkaparinga Valley Road/Tiers Road/Nairne Road intersection upgrade at Woodside;

(iv) Old Belair Road upgrade at Mitcham; and

(v) Main South Road upgrade between Myponga and Cape Jervis;

(c) condemns the federal government for removing $399.6 million in federal funding for the above listed infrastructure projects; and

(d) urges the state and federal Labor governments to reinstate the infrastructure projects originally planned.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:44): I rise to support the original motion by the member for Mount Gambier, in regard to the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme:

That this house—

(a) recognises the importance of the Patient Assisted Transport Scheme (PATS) to regional patients that are required to travel over 100km for essential medical services;

(b) notes that the accommodation allowance for the PATS scheme has not increased since 2014; and

(c) calls on the state government to increase the accommodation allowance and all subsidies to be tied to CPI.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:05): I rise today to speak about the Country Fire Service, an organisation that is close to my heart as I am a member, as are other members in this house. A committee was proposed to be set up in the other place late last year. When that select committee was proposed, it was initially thought that we had support to get that committee up. That fell away so we held our ground, and I must congratulate the Hon. Ben Hood for getting that committee up the other day, through another forum

The Liberal Party's move to establish a Parliamentary inquiry to investigate issues within the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) has been successful in the Legislative Council.