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The Statutes Amendment (Mineral Resources) Bill 2018, otherwise known as the 'Mining Act', passed the lower house of Parliament on July 3 even as the Member for MacKillop, Nick McBride, crossed the floor to vote against it with some of his Liberal Party colleagues and Independent MPs. Mr McBride joined his three Liberal colleagues, Fraser Ellis the Member for Narungga, Dan Cregan the Member for Kavel, and Steve Murray the Member for Davenport, along with three Independent MP's - Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell, Member for Florey Frances Bedford, and Member for Frome Geoff Brock - in voting against the Bill. Despite their opposition, the Bill passed with the support of Labor. In a statement from his office, Mr McBride says the Bill in its current form fell well short of addressing protections and support needed for landholders and had missed opportunities for improvements including reducing red tape for smaller mining enterprises. Mr McBride has vowed to continue to engage with the farming sector and the mining industry to support the development of a more acceptable and fairer mining act. "I have a strong appreciation of the importance of both mining and agriculture for our state's economy. Both sectors provide substantial contributions to our state's GDP, they are significant employers and generators of wealth," he said. "I was opposed to the bill due to the lack of consultation, the need for an independent review and the opportunities that have been missed in its current form." "I maintain that the Bill would have benefited from community engagement under the eye of the Marshall Liberal Government. "A broader review of the Mining Act has been sought by regional communities, the mining sector and their respective peak bodies since the Bill was tabled late last year. "A review would provide an opportunity to look at mining legislation from others states and draw on these to help deliver a better framework for the future of mining in South Australia" Mr McBride says he - and his colleagues - had worked with the Minister for Mining, the Hon Dan van Holst Pellekaan respectfully and productively, and despite many discussions, there had not been a successful outcome. "I appreciate that as a Member of the Liberal Government I am able to express my own view. "I ultimately could not support a bill that doesn't achieve a balance between the rights of mining companies and the rights of farmers. "This is the beginning, not the end. I will be working with and encouraging the Minister for Mining and my party colleagues to support the Notice of Motion introduced by Independent MP Geoff Brock to establish an Independent Inquiry. We need a more acceptable mining act." The Limestone Coast Protection Alliance have released their own statement via Merilyn Paxton, expressing severe disappointment with the outcome. "Four depressing hours were spent last night (3 July) watching both major parties in the Lower House tell us why they won't give landholders the right to say no to mining companies, with both parties showing complete disregard for the rights of landholders," read the LCPA statement. "The whole of South Australia is covered with mining tenements of one sort or another - copper, lignite, iron ore, silver, gold, gas and oil. "Slight amendments to the Mining Act mean that 'non-invasive mining exploration' can be carried out 200 metres from a residence. 'Invasive mining exploration' must be between 400 and 600 metres from a residence. "The government acknowledged that agriculture is SA's biggest contributor to the state GDP at $6.6 billion but they want resources to equal that. "This will be impossible because open cut mineral mining will consume vast acreage of agricultural land which can never be returned to agriculture. Agriculture will be sacrificed for resources mining. The gas and oil industry also spoils large amounts of agricultural land. "Minister Van Holst Pellekaan suggested that royalties to landholders were too expensive for the government. We would have thought the mining companies should pay these. (Labor's promise of royalties was never legislated). "Although Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector Tom Koutsantonis stated that most farmers eventually come to an agreement with mining companies - as if they have a choice - Minister van Holst Pellekaan put up some specious argument that giving farmers the right of veto would somehow disadvantage their neighbours. "Shadow Minister Koutsantonis said that if you live in the city you run the risk of losing your house to projects like South Road. "If you live in the regions, you may lose your house (or property) to mining companies in spite of generational productivity which has contributed to the wealth of the state. "Four Liberal members made well-researched speeches in support of their electorates and crossed the floor, along with four Independents. "Shadow Minister Koutsantanis said that politicians should ignore the wishes of their electorate when it came to voting for the best outcomes for the state. "About 200 landholders from across South Australia met with supporting politicians on the steps of Parliament House yesterday afternoon."

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Mining Act passes in Parliament even as McBride crosses the floor