Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I know we have 10 minutes before we go to senators' statements, but hopefully I can deal with two discreet issues in respect of that. The first relates to the location of the trial. I have had some very good and productive discussions with Assistant Minister Tudge in relation to this—and I want to express my gratitude to the assistant minister and to his office for their level of cooperation and goodwill.

When I went to Ceduna with Senator Lambie on 2 October, there was a concern felt by a significant part of the community who had expressed concerns about the trial; they felt that there had not been an adequate level of consultation. I know that Assistant Minister Tudge has made it very clear that there has been extensive consultation with a number of key stakeholders. The assistant minister has indicated to me that there will be a public meeting in Ceduna that will go for two to three hours—I think that the minister's adviser is helpfully nodding, and hopefully that nod can be translated through the minister into Hansard. Before any regulations are tabled, before any final decision is made, can the minister indicate that there will be a public meeting in Ceduna that will allow a robust exchange of views with the local community, and that the public meeting will involve the assistant minister?