20 May, 2026
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:48): I thank all members for their contributions today. I might just start by clarifying the Greens' position. We will support the amendments being put by the opposition. Politics is a numbers game and, regrettably, it is clear today that there is not support for the Greens' original motion to axe the redevelopment of the North Adelaide Golf Course, and so, reluctantly, we will support the Liberals' amendment because that gives this motion the best possible pathway of success.
I hope that One Nation will reconsider their position, because the Hon. Cory Bernardi indicated in his remarks that he is supportive of the amendment. From the Greens' perspective, we recognise that, whilst the amendment does not go as far as we would like, it is an advance on the status quo. It calls for the government to release the business case, which I think is a basic, bare requirement for any project such as this. It asks them to minimise any future tree loss, which is a very sensible proposal, and it also calls for the government to protect the Parklands. Why on earth would a crossbench party in this place oppose such a proposition?
I remember when, back in February, to much fanfare, the Hon. Cory Bernardi announced that he had joined One Nation. He said at the time, and I quote from his public comments:
There's been no opposition in this state…the only competition we have between the two major parties is who's going to manage the social, economic and cultural decline…less badly than the alternative…
Whether we have one seat, we have five seats or 22 seats, we will be the strongest voice of opposition that this government has ever faced.
The strongest ever. What happens when One Nation faces its first test in this place? Who do they support? Do they support the opposition parties in this place and send a strong message to the Malinauskas government? No, they fold like a cheap suit at the very first test and fall into line with the Malinauskas government. It is pathetic, absolutely pathetic. Might I say, if this is the kind of weak positioning we can expect from One Nation in the days ahead—I mean, I am sure Peter Malinauskas is shaking in his boots.
The 'most effective opposition this government has ever faced', and they cannot even support a simple motion in this chamber, calling for the release of a business case. How pathetic is that? A lot of people in the community know that One Nation are racist and homophobic, and now they know they hate the environment as well. They are absolutely pathetic and they are failing the test of playing the role of an opposition in this place.
To turn to the substance of this issue, the Greens have been very clear in our position all along. We opposed this redevelopment when it was first suggested back in May last year. We fought tooth and nail to amend the legislation, and all those efforts were blocked by the Malinauskas government. We called for the government to release a business case, to be transparent with the people of South Australia. We tried to protect significant trees from the chop.
What we have faced in response has been an arrogant and belligerent government that has refused to provide any of the key information to the people of South Australia and has refused to undertake even the most basic environmental protections. Now they are being aided and abetted in that endeavour by the One Nation party, under the leadership of the Hon. Cory Bernardi. It is very disappointing that we find ourselves in this position, but I urge the two One Nation members who are present to think carefully about their position. They do have an opportunity to do the right thing and to support this motion, albeit in an amended form.
Might I also just say that I know lots of people in the community have approached both the Hon. Ms Selwood and myself, expressing their profound concern and sadness over what has happened with our public green space. My fear is that what we have seen with the Parklands over the last few weeks could just be a curtain-raiser for what the government has in store for MotoGP.
This is a reminder that we all have to be vigilant and we have to continue with the campaign. I have never seen so much public momentum and enthusiasm for the campaign to protect our Parklands. I have a sense that this is just the beginning. The community will not be silenced. Shame on the members of this place who thumb their noses at the community and disregard their concerns.