“I am glad to see the Opposition has come out and agreed with the independents and minor parties’ philosophy of royalties going back in to regions,” he said.

“I feel privileged we have rocked the boat and put something in the public forum.”

A forum on the idea was held in Adelaide on October 2 with independents and minor parties in support of the plan being introduced in South Australia. “The forum was very well attended … obviously the Liberal attendee has gone back to the party and they have taken on this idea,” Mr Brock said.

On Monday, Opposition leader Isobel Redmond announced under a Liberal government, country communities would receive 25 percent of mining royalties from increased contributions to the Regional Devel- opment Infrastructure Fund.

Mr Brock said the proposition was first mooted five years ago by Port Pirie as part of the Upper Spencer Gulf Common Purpose Group. He questioned why it has only gained traction now.

“The foundations for this plan were put down years ago … it is like anything at all, you need to start somewhere,” he said.

“I question why it was not bought up previously by one of the major parties.”

He said the plan needed to be discussed in more detail, but communities would not lose money from other areas to fund the scheme.

“It needs a lot more work. We are talking about the whole of regional South Australia where there are smaller communities than Port Pirie, Whyalla and Port Augusta … who produce royalties in their own right,” he said.

“Every year more royalties will be produced as the mining boom hits.”