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) (11:14): I rise today in support of the Supply Bill 2023 so that the government can keep writing cheques for the Public Service and certainly keep us gainfully employed. There is a total of $6,553 million, or just over $6.5 billion, of what I am estimating when the budget comes down in a month's time will be around $22 billion in total for getting us through the finances for the 2023-24 financial year.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (16:28): I rise to speak to the Rail Safety National Law (South Australia) (Fees) Amendment Bill 2023. As has already been mentioned in this house, this bill seeks to amend a number of sections of the Rail Safety National Law (South Australia) Act 2012 in order to complement the Rail Safety National Law (South Australia) (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2022. I would like to acknowledge that we are the lead state in this national law, so obviously we need to get this legislation through the parliament.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:58): By leave, I move my motion in an amended form:

That this house—

(a) acknowledges that ANZAC Day was commemorated on 25 April 2023;

(b) pays its respects to the families of those ANZACs who tragically lost their lives during the Gallipoli campaign; and

(c) remembers all Australian personnel and animals who have been injured or killed in action.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:34): I rise today to talk about the Strathalbyn emergency department. Today, I was proud to table a petition with 1,452 signatures from the good people of Strathalbyn and surrounding districts. The petition noted that the emergency department of the Strathalbyn and District Health Service was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its co-location with an aged-care facility. The request is that the state government immediately reopen the emergency department at the Strathalbyn and District Health Service to its pre-COVID operating hours and provide whatever workforce is necessary to operate this facility.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:07): I rise to talk about the recovery process in regard to what is happening with Murraylands and River Murray communities, but certainly will focus on what is happening in my neck of the woods in the Mid Murray and Lower Murray areas. We see town levees coming down in Mannum, which is a good sight to see as part of the recovery process moving forward.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:55): I rise to speak to the First Nations Voice Bill. I note, as has been indicated earlier in the proceedings, we are opposing this bill, but we do not do that lightly at all. I certainly do not believe that this is the answer. We currently have 191 registered bodies working with Aboriginal South Australians right now, so what makes me wonder is what is going on that the myriad complex situations that affront our Aboriginal community, as the rest of our community—why is that not working?

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (17:45): I am proud and privileged here today to support this motion in support of Ukraine and all its people:

That this house—

(a) notes with great sadness that 24 February 2023 marks the first anniversary of the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine;

(b) deplores the actions of Russia invading Ukraine and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the total withdrawal of Russian forces;

(c) notes the terrible toll caused by the war with international estimates of more than 40,000 deaths, more than 90,000 casualties and the displacement of more than 14 million people;

(d) affirms the resolutions of the 11^th emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly, calling for the full protection of civilians, including humanitarian personal, journalists and vulnerable persons;

(e) congratulates South Australians for the warmth and friendship they have shown Ukrainians, displaced by the conflict, who have settled in our great state; and

(f) resolves to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, to ensure peace and independence is returned for the Ukrainian people—SLAVA UKRAINI!

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:32): I speak on the motion on the emergency response to the flood event and note:

That this house—

(a) recognises the immense efforts of the South Australian emergency service sector during the emergency response to the 2022-23 River Murray flood event;

(b) acknowledges the State Emergency Service, Country Fire Service, Metropolitan Fire Service, South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission, Volunteer Marine Rescue and Surf Life Saving South Australia for their service to the community; and

(c) shows its appreciation to the staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to protect and support affected communities.