Division rife as Liberals argue in public after four backbenchers crossed the floor over mining reform vote

Renegade Liberal MPs who crossed the floor to delay the State Government’s mining reform “saved the party from complete turmoil” among its key constituents, MacKillop MP Nick McBride says.

MacKillop MP Nick McBride speaks during discussion over the government’s mining reform. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

• Four Liberal MPs cross the floor over mining reforms
• Backbench revolt over Mining Act
• Yorke Peninsula farmers want laws to keep miners off property

Renegade Liberal MPs who crossed the floor to delay the State Government’s mining reform “saved the party from complete turmoil” among its key constituents, MacKillop MP Nick McBride says.

Mr McBride, from the state’s South-East, delivered a stinging rebuke to Energy and Mining Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan, telling ABC Radio the Government had not delivered the proper consultation process it promised the state’s farming community.

It comes as Mr van Holst Pellekaan attempts to shrug off four backbenchers crossing the floor to delay the Bill until next February, saying it was “perfectly acceptable” they stood up for their electorates.

Mr McBride, Dan Cregan and Steve Murray joined Yorke Peninsula MP Fraser Ellis in voting to delay the legislation because of a lack of consultation and a view it does not deliver strong enough protections for farmers.

But Mr van Holst Pellekaan said the Government had engaged in “extensive community consultation” and did not commit to a new round of talks before debate begins again to convince win over disgruntled farmers.

“There are still issues that people would like to have changed in the Bill and there is a very clear commitment to say right, here is phase one of improvements for landholders and the mining industry, and very quickly after this Bill passes through Parliament we will move on to phase two, another extensive, deep, thorough and open stage of communication which will deliver even more benefits,” he said.

Mr van Holst Pellekaan denied the result was a bad look, saying all internal discussions had been very respectful.

Liberal MPs Fraser Ellis, Steve Murray, Dan Cregan and Nick McBride sit with Labor MPs in Parliament after crossing the floor. Picture: Adam Langenberg

“There are four out of 25 Liberal MPs who have concerns about it. I am quite comfortable with the fact that there are 21 Liberal MPs who support it,” he said.

“All of my colleagues, including the Premier, are very comfortable with the fact that our MPs deserve the right to speak on behalf of their electorates as they see fit.”

Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas said the result was “extraordinary” and showed Premier Steven Marshall had lost control of his party room.

Mr McBride said he wanted Mr van Holst Pellekaan to “bat for our party”.

“He hasn’t gone through the process of actually bringing our core constituents on board to make sure they’re part of this process,” he said.