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.

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.

Second Reading

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:09): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I rise to speak to the Farm Debt Mediation Bill that was introduced in the other place late last year by my colleague and good friend the Hon. David Ridgway, and I acknowledge his work in this sector. I also acknowledge that the bill happened to get the support of the Liberal Party, and all of the crossbenchers in the other place, but not the support of the government, which is disappointing, to say the least, particularly when they talk about everything that is 'premium', and the 'clean green' agricultural lands that we have, and the produce that we do grow is very good.

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 22 June 2017.)

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (17:34): I rise to speak to the Budget Measures Bill, and sometimes I feel like I live in a parallel universe in this place. We hear about jobs and the need for jobs and certainly we do need jobs. It was only several years ago that the Premier, the member for Cheltenham, indicated that he was going to attract 100,000 jobs into this state. Well, I think he might be scratching to get 8,000 jobs. Now we have all these so-called job attraction initiatives. Do you know what? The only jobs that are coming to South Australia are the ones that are financed by the government. It is either the $10,000 grants, the $4,000 grants or now, with new apprentices or trainees, the $15,000 grants.

Adjourned debate on motion of Mr Odenwalder:

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

(Continued from 21 June 2017.)

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:51):I rise to speak to the Economic and Finance Committee's 95th report, entitled Emergency Services Levy 2017-18. I note that this levy intends to raise $302 million, with the levy and other funds, which will go into emergency services around the state. That is $10.3 million more than was required in 2016-17.

Debate resumed.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:11): I rise to make a quick contribution on these three reports in regard to the natural resources management levy proposal, including Arid Lands, Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo Island.

Every year, we seem to have rises in natural resources levies, and I note the reasons given for the 118 per cent increase in the Kangaroo Island levy, from $36 per rateable property to $79. When I first saw the 118 per cent figure, I just about fell out of my chair, but as it was such a modest start rate perhaps it is not so bad. I certainly have a lot of respect for Richard Trethewey, who has been mentioned here, and his comments. He has put a good case for why that levy should rise. He spoke about weed and feral pest management. Let's hope that is where the money is spent appropriately because what has always confounded me, and I have said it in this place many times, is the amount of money spent on administration in natural resources management.

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading (resumed on motion).

Mr PEDERICK ( Hammond ) ( 20:34 ): I rise to speak to the Appropriation Bill 2017. The first thing I want to discuss in regard to this budget is net balance and net debt. Between 2016-17 and 2019-20, surpluses have been written down by a total of $926 million since the 2016-17 Mid-Year Budget Review, and the total non-financial public sector debt is now $13.84 billion and expected to peak at $14.94 billion in the year 2020.

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 31 May 2017.)

Mr PEDERICK: Thank you, Madam Independent Deputy Speaker. I rise to support the Industry Advocate Bill 2017. The bill establishes the role of the Industry Advocate as a statutory position and strengthens its powers to hold contractors to the commitments they make to utilise South Australian workers and materials. It seeks to capitalise on increasing community and industry stakeholder support for a 'buy South Australian' type policy, and this noise from the industry and community has come over recent years.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:28): I rise to speak on the Cittaslow International General Assembly. Between 9 and 12 May 2017, Goolwa hosted the 10th Cittaslow International General Assembly. The assembly is held each year hosted by one of the 230 Cittaslow-accredited towns across 30 nations. The purpose of the assembly is to discuss issues related to the principles of Cittaslow and projects that enhance the philosophy of local identity, sustainable practices, social programs, heritage preservation, infrastructure development and developing a strong relationship between the council, the community and businesses.