Four Liberal government MPs have crossed the floor in state parliament to delay a vote on mining reforms in South Australia amid concerns the proposals don't properly protect the interests of farmers.
Fraser Ellis, Nick McBride, Steve Murray and Dan Cregan all voted with the Labor opposition in the lower house on Tuesday to delay a final vote on the new mining act until next year.
Their move followed failed efforts to have a meeting of the Liberal party room approve a series of amendments, including a possible veto for farmers to stop mining companies entering their land.
Liberal MPs who spoke against the bill were applauded by a group of Yorke Peninsula farmers who had travelled to Adelaide to watch the vote.
Mr Ellis said he and his three colleagues felt compelled to sit with the crossbench and vote to support a Labor motion to adjourn debate on the Mineral Resources Bill
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"We were successful in biding more time for work on amendments to even up the balance between mining and agriculture," Mr Ellis said after the vote.
But opposition mining and energy spokesman said the vote represented a severe blow to Premier Steven Marshall's authority within the government and his cabinet.
"There's no amount of spin that could state otherwise," Mr Koutsantonis said.
"This was a government bill the premier and his minister wanted debated and his own party said no."
