Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:09): I rise to talk on the Auditor-General's Report, Report 4 of 2020, entitled 'Examination of credit card use and management: The Coorong District Council'. At the outset, I declare I am a ratepayer within the Coorong District Council area, and I also represent a large portion of the council area as it falls within my electorate of Hammond. This report examined the use and management of credit cards by the council for the period 1 July 2016 to 30 April 2018. I would like to stress that this period does not fall within the time of the current elected council who were not elected until November 2018.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:05): I rise to speak to the Fuel Watch Bill as put by the member for Florey. I certainly get the intent of the member for Florey with this bill, but I do not believe that it is the best approach with regard to getting accurate fuel pricing. I know there are various models in place around the country, as far as real-time pricing, and I guess there is no time like the present to think about real time. However, it appears that there are better models that can be utilised.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:24): I rise to support the Local Government (Public Health Emergency) Amendment Bill 2020. I acknowledge the way that parliament has started off today and thank the opposition and the crossbench for how we are moving forward in these interesting times. This bill proposes to amend the Local Government Act 1999 to ensure council meeting continuity during public health emergencies—and these are different times, Mr Speaker. To address concerns arising out of the COVID-19 issue, it is proposed to amend the act to insert a provision for the minister to have a power to make a notice for a specified period to vary or suspend provisions of the Local Government Act 1999 as specified in the notice.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (12:50): I rise to speak to the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Commencement of Code) Amendment Bill. I was very interested by some of the member for Badcoe's contribution about people from her electorate actually complaining about the so-called sins of the current planning system. My understanding is that, as far as the Planning and Design Code goes, we are trying to reach some uniformity, and it is difficult. It is great to get that community feedback from constituents, but I note that they are actually talking about things that have happened in the past.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:29): I would like to acknowledge the contribution by the member for Kavel in the Address in Reply and not just his contribution here today but the contribution he made alongside people in his electorate and from outside of the electorate who assisted during the fire and with the aftermath, especially the Cudlee Creek fire, and also the many people who assisted with the fires right across this state.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (17:42): On indulgence, I rise to make some concluding remarks for the year 2019. This has been a very important year for our government. It is the second year that we have been in government. It is the second year in a very long period of time. It has been a productive year.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:43): Today is the day of a momentous announcement not just for Murray Bridge, Hammond, regional South Australia and South Australia as a whole but for Australia, and I do not say that lightly. The announcement today of Thomas Foods and the rebuild of its new multispecies, world-grade facility at Murray Bridge is something I have longed for since 3 January last year when we saw the terrible fire that burnt down the factory.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:55): It is with great pride that I rise to speak to the 34th report of the Public Works Committee in relation to the rebuild of the dog fence. What an important motion this is. This is something that has been debated for many years and, thankfully under the Marshall Liberal government, we have been able to auspice $25 million, which is a contribution of $10 million of state money, $10 million of federal government money and $5 million from industry. In the little bit of time that I have, I want to commend the industry for getting behind this scheme—

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:44): I rise to speak to the Statutes Amendment (South Eastern Freeway Offences) Bill. I note that we are trying to get some fairness and equity into this legislation, notwithstanding the safety outcomes that we need and must always look for when we are introducing legislation like this.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:55): I rise to support the Genetically Modified Crops Management (Designated Area) Amendment Bill 2019. Much has been said about science and much has been said about time, and I am going to add a little bit more to this debate. Quite frankly, it is ridiculous that our farmers have been denied this technology for the last 15 years simply based on ideology, and it is ideology.