Second Reading

(Continued from 3 August 2017.)

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:03): I rise to speak to the Local Government (Members Contesting State Elections) Amendment Bill. I commend the member for Unley for bringing this bill to the house. We are seeking to address the issue of mayors and local councillors running for state parliament, and to provide a consistent approach across all councils, placing an obligation on local councillors and mayors to step aside from their duties and functions while they canvass for elections in an Australian parliament.

Introduction and First Reading

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (10:30): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Work Health and Safety Act 2012. Read a first time.

Second Reading

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (10:31): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (16:46): I rise to respond to some comments mainly from the energy minister and what he had to say regarding policy going into the last election. Not only that, now he wishes to blame everyone else as to power prices and why we have this energy debacle in this state. He has said that in the past, but now he is saying that everyone supports the government's plan, the overly expensive $550 million taxpayer-funded plan. You cannot have it both ways.

Debate resumed.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:16): I rise to speak to the 570threport of the Public Works Committee, entitled Barossa Infrastructure Limited Capacity Increase Project. I welcome this increase. The BIL scheme is revolutionary and has been assisting producers in the Barossa area for many years now. It gets water down to a real value that people can add value to because otherwise, if the cost of water, like any other input, is too prohibitive, people may make the decision not to even attempt to go into either a food production area or, as we know with the Barossa, a reasonable winegrowing area. I represent Langhorne Creek, and it is a reasonable winegrowing area and a lot of very good wine is grown there as well.

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 22 June 2017.)

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (10:52): I rise to support the Road Traffic (Helmets) Amendment Bill 2017. I commend the member for Schubert for thinking of this road safety initiative, and I note some of the issues happening interstate. The member for Schubert is trying to clarify that, as long as the structure of a helmet is not compromised by using screws to attach a camera via a sticker or a mount, it is acceptable to the Road Rules.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (16:36): I rise to support the amended motion, to make sure that we do have a fresh healthy River Murray. It has always been my stand since coming into this place in 2006. In 2006, we saw the start of the Millennium Drought, and we are well aware of the meeting on Melbourne Cup day with John Howard and ministers talking about plans to keep the river in good condition. But guess what, Madam Deputy Speaker? We have people trying to give us history lessons here today. I am going to talk about a little bit of history.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (12:23): I rise to support the motion moved by the member for Adelaide:

That this house condemns the Labor government's record on child protection and in particular notes—

(a) the average waiting times on the Child Abuse Report Line having extended greater than one hour in 2016, compared to 10 minutes in 2012 and 20 minutes in 2015;

(b) that over 200 children and young people currently live in emergency care as compared to zero in 2002;

(c) that almost half of calls to the Child Abuse Report Line go unanswered and of those answered, the majority are closed with no action due to a lack of resourcing; and

(d) the number of children under the guardianship of the minister has reached a record high of 3,280, showing that more needs to be done in the areas of prevention, early intervention and rehabilitation.

Estimates Committees

Adjourned debate on motion:

That the proposed expenditures referred to Estimates Committees A and B be agreed to.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:53): When I was finalising my brief remarks before the lunch break, I was talking about an issue that has been brought to my attention regarding hot exhausts under some fire trucks. I am conducting a bit more of an investigation, but I did stress to both the chief officer and the minister that I will be sending them some correspondence because I think it is a serious matter that needs to be addressed.

Adjourned debate on motion of Mr Odenwalder:

That the 95th report of the committee, entitled Emergency Services Levy 2017-18, be noted.

(Continued from 5 July 2017.)

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:02): I rise to speak to the 95th report of the Economic and Finance Committee in regard to the emergency services levy 2017-18. I note that this funding is used to raise fees for our emergency services.

Estimates Committees

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (12:54): I rise to speak to the estimates process here in 2017. Some people may be shocked, but I actually found it the best of a bad innings of estimates that I have had. I am not sure why I say that, but perhaps I am just getting used to the process. Hopefully, it is the last one.