Liberal MPs block Brock’s bid to investigate mining land access

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Liberal MPs block Brock’s bid to investigate mining land access

Liberal MPs, including those who crossed the floor to vote against the Mining Bill, have joined forces to block Member for Frome Geoff Brock’s bid to establish a Commission of Inquiry into mining land access.

Under the State Government’s Mining Bill, exploration would be allowed within 200 metres of homesteads and landowners would face fines for obstructing access.

In Parliament on Wednesday, Liberal MPs voted to block debate on Mr Brock’s Commission of Inquiry (Land Access in the Mining and Petroleum Industries) Bill.

Among those who voted to block the progress of the bill were the four Liberal MPs who crossed the floor to vote against the Mining Bill – Fraser Ellis (Narrunga), Nick McBride (MacKillop), Dan Cregan (Kavel) and Steve Murray (Davenport).

“I am very disappointed Members of Parliament who represent the very regional communities who will be impacted by this bill joined forces to block my bid to establish a Commission of Inquiry,” Mr Brock said.

“If these four Liberal MPs were willing to cross the floor to vote against the Mining Bill, why aren’t they willing to support a Commission of Inquiry to thoroughly investigate it?”

Mr Brock added: “I won’t give up on this and will keep pursuing this Commission of Inquiry for the benefit of people across regional South Australia.”