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In Parliament and the Media

ISRAEL

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (11:01): I move:

That this house—

(a) unequivocally condemns the attacks on Israel by Hamas, which are the heinous acts of terrorists, and have encompassed the targeting and murder of civilians, including women and children, the taking of hostages and indiscriminate rocket fire;

(b) stands with Israel and recognises its inherent right to defend itself;

(c) condemns antisemitism and recognises that generations of Jewish people have been subjected to this hateful prejudice;

(d) calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages;

(e) recognises that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people, nor their legitimate needs and aspirations;

(f) acknowledges the devastating loss of Israeli and Palestinian life and that innocent civilians on all sides are suffering as a result of the attacks by Hamas and the subsequent conflict;

(g) supports justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike;

(h) supports international efforts to establish and maintain humanitarian access into Gaza, including safe passage for civilians;

(i) reiterates Australia's consistent position in all contexts is to call for the protection of civilian lives and the observance of international law;

(j) acknowledges what has unfolded is deeply distressing for many in the South Australian community, close to the heart of many, and it is important that we maintain respect for each other here at home as people express their views;

(k) condemns all forms of hate speech and violent extremist activity, including antisemitism and Islamophobia;

(l) recognises an attack on any religion is an attack on all religions and that we all share a responsibility to unite, condemn and defeat such an attack on our common values and way of life; and

(m) affirms in the strongest possible terms that hateful prejudice has no place in South Australia.

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HYDROGEN AND RENEWABLE ENERGY BILL

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (16:25): I rise to make a contribution in regard to the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Bill and note that this is a bill that seeks to regulate these projects under a one-stop shop system, and that is the very short version.

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MANAGEMENT OF RIVER MURRAY LEVEES

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (14:37): My question is to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water. Has the government developed a comprehensive plan for the management of River Murray levees moving forward? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

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WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

The Hon. C.J. PICTON (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (11:28): On behalf of the member for Elder, I move:

That this house—

(a) notes that 10 October 2023 is World Mental Health Day;

(b) acknowledges the importance of raising awareness of mental health issues;

(c) recognises the Malinauskas Labor government’s commitment to supporting and improving mental health services, including providing an extra 120 mental health beds to ease pressures on our hospital system so that people can get the help they need;

(d) commends the government for reversing the former Liberal government’s decision to abolish the role of a full-time mental health commissioner in SA; and

(e) encourages South Australians to look after each other and themselves and seek help if they are struggling.

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GRIEVE: LOWER RIVER MURRAY LEVEES

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:02): I rise today to talk about the management of the River Murray pre the recent flood, especially levee management or levee mismanagement, as the case may be. In regard to pre flood, I want absolutely to salute local governments, contractors and volunteers for the work they did in protecting their communities, whether it was at Renmark, where at least 150,000 tonnes of clay was moved, or as you come down the river there was much work done at areas like Cobdogla and Waikerie.

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REGIONAL TOURISM

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.

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LOWER RIVER MURRAY LEVEES

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.

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STATUTES AMENDMENT (BUDGET MEASURES) BILL 2023

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:

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Labor's botched management of River Murray levees

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.

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Parliamentary inquiry into River Murray floods gets green light despite Labor's opposition

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. 

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