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Legislative
Council |
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| Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
Parliament Index |
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|
Legislative
Council |
|
| Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
Parliament Index |
|
The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney- General, representing the Minister for Minerals and Energy, a question about the Sellicks Hill cave.
Leave granted.
The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: On the eve of the 1993 election-in fact, as I recall, about a week before the 1993 election-a cave beneath a quarry at Sellicks Hill was imploded. That cave is by far the largest cave known to exist on Fleurieu Peninsula, and as a consequence of that implosion the Environment, Resources and Development Committee undertook an inquiry. It would be fair to say that the members of the committee at that stage were horrified by the timing, and I must say that no-one has ever been brought to account for the timing of that implosion. But, recognising that it was a deed that could not be undone, the committee sought some changes in the reporting rules etc. in relation to any new caves discovered. At the same time it also requested that an attempt be made to ascertain whether or not any cave remained intact. At the time of the implosion, nobody knew how far the cave system actually went. The time of that implosion was eight years ago, and certainly I think some 6½ years-
The Hon. K.T. Griffin: Was that a Labor government?
The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: There was not really a government at all; it was a week before an election. One might say that the bureaucrats ran free in a period when they should not have. That is an aside. Following exchanges of correspondence, the committee had an understanding that an attempt would be made to ascertain whether or not any of the cave system remained intact. It should be noted that in our most recent annual report it has become apparent that that is not the case. Will the minister explain to this parliament why no attempt has been made to ascertain the current status of the caves at Sellicks Hill?
The Hon. K.T. GRIFFIN (Attorney-General): I will refer that question to my colleague in another place and bring back a reply.
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