Mr PEDERICK ( Hammond ) ( 11:45 ): I rise to make a contribution to the 99th report of the Natural Resources Committee, that is, the annual report July 2013 to June 2014. I note that, apart from going through the natural resources management boards' levy proposals right across the state, there were some fact-finding missions at Whyalla, issues around bushfire preparedness of
properties in bushfire risk areas, discussion around prescribed burning and fire management in the Mount Lofty Ranges, Upper South-East dryland salinity and flood management, visits to the APY lands were proposed and there was debate about that, and the Eyre Peninsula water supply final report. 

Mr PEDERICK ( Hammond ) ( 17:52 ): I rise today to speak about speed limits and safe access on the South Eastern Freeway into the city of Adelaide; in particular, the section of road from Stirling to Glen Osmond. We have recently seen some horrendous accidents on this section of the road which have seen innocent people's lives taken and destroyed. This subject is very close to my heart, because not only do I use this road repeatedly, as do many of my constituents, but I also personally know some of the people who have been involved in these accidents.

Mr PEDERICK ( Hammond ) ( 14:59 ): I rise today to support the condolence motion in honour of Bob Such. Too many times in this place we rise for condolence motions, but you do not expect to speak about someone you have served with, and such a nice bloke, as Bob Such was. When I first entered this place he was one of the first people to welcome me here. Over the years I heard many stories of when he visited my electorate—because he had family (a sister) up there—and how many times he had been out there shooting a few rabbits, having a look around and seeing what was going on.

Member for Hammond Mr Adrian Pederick is concerned over the latest call to reignite the debate to build a weir at Wellington.

“This proposal would have enormous social, economic and environmental effects on the community of Hammond. It would basically write off about half of my electorate,’ said Mr Pederick. ‘Even in the depths of the millennium drought this option was not proceeded with.

South Australians living in the Hammond electorate continue to be incensed by the Weatherill Labor Government’s exorbitant increases to the Emergency Services Levy.

“I have had farmers ringing my office outraged that their bill has increased by over 600 per cent,” said Member for Hammond Adrian Pederick.

Mr PEDERICK ( Hammond ) ( 12:29 :56 ): I rise to support the motion by the member for Stuart:

That this house—

(a) recognises the very important interrelationship between metropolitan Adelaide and the rural and remote regions of our state and

(b) acknowledges that the equitable provision of resources to and the development of both are necessary for our state's economic and social success now and into the future.

That is the motion I support, but I note the amendment to paragraph (b) moved by the member for Frome, which reads:

(b) supports the balanced provision of resources that recognises the interdependence of metropolitan and rural areas of South Australia and takes into account local needs and priorities as a basis for our economic and social success now and into the future.

Mr PEDERICK ( Hammond ) ( 17:12 :55 ): I rise, too, to support the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) (Blood Testing for Diseases) Amendment Bill 2014. As the member for Bragg alluded to, we will be supporting the bill but seeking some amendment to protect other people in the front line of emergency services, who obviously have contact with many hundreds and thousands of people out in the field

Liberal Member for Hammond and Chair of State Liberal Regional Affairs Committee, Adrian Pederick, is perplexed with a year-long study announced by the Weatherill Labor Government as part of the New Horizons Project.

The New Horizons project will involve a mix of research and field trials conducted by Primary Industries and Regions SA, farming groups, the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide.

Mr PEDERICK ( Hammond ) ( 11:40 :42 ): I rise to speak to the motion by the member for
Stuart, which states:

That this house establish a select committee to inquire into and report on—

1.The review by the Health Performance Council on the operations of the health advisory councils in accordance with the Health Care Act 2008. 

2.The current provision and plans for future delivery of health services in regional South Australia, with particular reference to—

(a)the role and responsibilities of health advisory councils and the benefits, or otherwise, of the removal of local hospital boards;

(b)amalgamations of health advisory councils in regional South Australia;

(c)trends in local community fundraising for medical equipment and services;

(d)how funds currently and previously raised by local communities are held and spent, with particular regard to authorisation and decision-making;

(e)timing of provision of finalised operation budgets in country hospitals;

(f)ownership and transfer of property titles of country hospitals;

(g)the process and timing of the hiring of staff for new and existing positions;

(h)South Australian Ambulance Service arrangements, including the role of volunteers, fees and fundraising and the benefits, or otherwise, to local community events;

(i)scope of practice of general practitioners in country hospitals and the provision of accident and emergency care;

(j)procurement by Country Health SA and the benefits, or otherwise, to country communities;

(k)mandated fees to DPTI for management of maintenance and minor works; 

(l) the benefits, or otherwise, of all rural and remote South Australia being classified as one primary health network within the federal health system;

(m)the implementation of EPAS in country hospitals; 

(n)integrated mental health inpatient centres for regional South Australia; and

(o)any other relevant matters.

Mr PEDERICK ( Hammond ) ( 16:47 :27 ): Don't panic, Attorney. I rise to speak to the South Australian Employment Tribunal Bill 2014. I note in the Attorney's opening comments of his second reading speech that the South Australian Employment Tribunal will have similar functions, powers and operating approaches as the newly established civil and administrative tribunal and how efficient and cost-cutting it will be. If it is that good, as the members for Hartley and MacKillop have reiterated, why not roll it into the SACAT? I am sure the Attorney will address that issue either in his address at the end of this or in committee.