With the State Budget being released today, the Opposition wants to see meaningful investment to tackle South Australia's road safety and infrastructure concerns. 

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (14:47): My question is to the Minister for Regional Roads. Is the Strzelecki Track upgrade on time and on budget, and can the minister provide an update on its progress?

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:00): My question is to the Minister for Veterans Affairs. Will the government commit additional resources towards mental health services for veterans in the state budget, particularly for those living in regional and rural areas?

The Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network have announced the trial of an After Hours Nurse-led Clinic to replace the Emergency Department at the Strathalbyn and Districts Health Service. 

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (14:21): My question is to the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services. Will the government establish an independent inquiry into the preparation, response and recovery of the 2022-23 River Murray flood event and, if not, why not?

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (16:25): I rise today to talk in my supply grieve about my constituent Mr John Ali of Murray Bridge. As a 22 year old, Mr Ali worked as a diesel mechanic for International Harvester. In 1971, his employer asked him to travel to Canberra to meet with government officials. He was honoured and very naive. He in fact met with Malcolm Fraser, Minister for Defence, and was asked to serve his country on a top-secret mission. His mission was to deliver 600 military trucks and 150 four-wheeled trailers through Vietnam to Cambodia. His mission was so secret he was told he could only tell his parents and his spouse and no-one else, not even work colleagues. Mr Ali signed defence secrecy documents.

The South Australian Liberal Party was pleased to attend the important unveiling of the Members of the South Australian Parliament Active Military Service Board on Thursday. 

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:12): I rise today to talk about the recommissioning of Thomas Foods, or the commissioning of a new plant after five years and five months of quite turbulent and busy times since that terrible fire of 3 January 2018, when some welding sparked a terrible fire, which in the end saw the whole plant just on the edge of Murray Bridge burn to the ground, putting 1,500 people out of work. It is so pleasing to see Darren Thomas and his team commit to building the new plant, worth many, many tens of millions of dollars, about 10 kilometres outside Murray Bridge.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:11): I rise to speak on this parliamentary Public Works Committee consideration being sought for the Truro bypass project. I would like to think this is more of a project about the appropriate freight route around Truro because it is a significant part of our freight network, with up to 700 heavy vehicles a day going through Truro. This is part of a $202 million project set up by the former Liberal government's 2021 budget.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (14:50): My question is to the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services.

Members interjecting:

Mr PEDERICK: Seriously.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Hammond, put your question.

Mr PEDERICK: Does the government plan on replacing the state's rescue helicopter fleet? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.