Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (12:06): By leave, I move my motion in an amended form:

That this house—

(a) recognises the importance of South Australia’s regional areas to the state’s visitor economy;

(b) recognises the potential of Mount Gambier and the wider Limestone Coast region’s unique natural assets in the nature-based and adventure tourism sectors; and

(c) calls on the state government through SATC to prioritise product development and tourism experiences in future funding opportunities.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:04): My question is to the Minister for Environment and Water. Did the minister receive advice from her department in relation to levee breaches and, if so, when? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:40): I rise to make a contribution to the Statutes Amendment (Budget Measures) Bill, and I wish to indicate that I am not the lead speaker. The one thing I am very interested in is the amendment in regard to the Emergency Services Funding Act 1998 and the definition of 'emergency service'. It is about deleting the section that is:

Serious questions have been raised about the Malinauskas Labor Government's management of River Murray levees following the overtopping and breaching of six Lower Murray levees early Friday morning.

The Opposition has successfully moved to establish a Parliamentary inquiry into the recent River Murray floods to help learn how South Australia can better prepare for future flooding events - despite the Malinauskas Labor Government inexplicably opposing the move. 

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:20): I rise to speak to this report by the Economic and Finance Committee on the emergency services levy. This is a levy that has been in place for just over 20 years to be the main funder of our emergency services because there are a lot of lessons to be learned from events such as the two Ash Wednesdays to make sure we have the appropriate funding in place, especially for our volunteer firefighters and also our paid staff in firefighting.

Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (11:01): I move:

That this house—

(a) recognises the growing importance of medicinal cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) as an alternative treatment option for South Australians;

(b) supports expanded research and clinical trials into the treatment of conditions, including endometriosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and chronic pain; and

(c) streamlines access to locally manufactured products for South Australian residents.

Following several weeks of uncertainty for South Australian farmers, the CFS has announced that the Grain Harvest Code of Practice will remain unchanged for the 2023-24 harvest season.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:36): I rise today to speak about a very valuable time for farmers coming into this time of the year and over the next few months—harvest. Over the last couple of weeks, there has been a huge discussion in country areas and in city media as well about the cease harvest threshold fire danger rating system. It has shocked me to think that this has come from somewhere in the bureaucracy of the CFS. I acknowledge, as has been acknowledged before, I am a proud member of the CFS. They are a fantastic organisation with their 13,000 members. The dialogue around this has been scary, to put it in plain language.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:13): My question is to the Minister for Regional Roads. Has the minister received assurances from the federal government that funding for the Truro bypass, Princes Highway corridor upgrade and road maintenance and safety programs will not be cut? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.