Department of the Premier and Cabinet, $299,804,000

Administered Items for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, $11,796,000

Membership:

Mr Gee substituted for Mr Malinauskas.

Minister:

Hon. C.L. Wingard, Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing.

Departmental Advisers:

Ms K. Taylor, Chief Executive, Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing.

Mr T. Nicholas, Acting Senior Manager, Strategy and Investment, Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing.

The CHAIR: We now move on to the portfolio for the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing. We have the minister appearing in his capacity as the Minster for Recreation, Sport and Racing. I declare the proposed payments open for examination and refer members to the Agency Statements, Volume 4.

Ms HILDYARD: Mr Chair, just while we are getting settled, we could do the omnibus questions in the last minute or two, or should I do it now while they are getting settled?

The CHAIR: We can do them now. I have declared them open.

Ms HILDYARD: I will read the omnibus questions into Hansard.

1. Will the minister provide a detailed breakdown of expenditure on consultants and contractors with a total estimated cost above $10,000, engaged between 17 March 2018 and 30 June 2018 by all departments and agencies reporting to the minister, listing the name of the consultant, contractor or service supplier, the estimated total cost of the work, the work undertaken and the method of appointment?

2. Will the minister provide a detailed breakdown of the forecast expenditure on consultants and contractors with a total estimated cost above $10,000 for the 2018-19 financial year to be engaged by all departments and agencies reporting to the minister, listing the name of the consultant, contractor or service supplier, cost, work undertaken and method of appointment?

3. For each department and agency for which the minister has responsibility:

(a) How many FTEs were employed to provide communication and promotion activities in 2017-18 and what was their employment expense?

(b) How many FTEs are budgeted to provide communication and promotion activities in 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22, and what is their estimated employment expense?

(c) The total cost of government-paid advertising, including campaigns, across all mediums in 2017-18 and budgeted cost for 2018-19.

4. For each grant program or fund the minister is responsible for please provide the following information for the 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 financial years:

(a) The name of the program or fund;

(b) The purpose of the program or fund;

(c) Balance of the grant program or fund;

(d) Budgeted (or actual) expenditure from the program or fund;

(e) Budgeted (or actual) payments into the program or fund;

(f) Carryovers into or from the program or fund;

(g) Details, including the value and beneficiary, of any commitments already made to be funded from the program or fund; and

(h) Whether the grant was subject to a grant agreement as required by Treasurer's Instructions 15.

5. For the period of 17 March 2018 and 30 June 2018, provide a breakdown of all grants paid by the department/agency that report to the minister, including when the payment was made to the recipient, and when the grant agreement was signed by both parties.

6. For each department and agency reporting to the minister:

(a) The total number of FTEs in that department or agency;

(b) The number of FTEs by division and/or business unit within the department or agency; and

(c) The number of FTEs by classification in each division and/or business unit within the department or agency.

7. For each department and agency reporting to the minister, could you detail:

(a) How much is allocated to be spent on targeted voluntary separation packages in 2018-19?

(b) How many of the TVSPs are estimated to be funded?

(c) What is the budget for TVSPs for financial years included in the forward estimates (by year), and how are these packages to be funded?

8. For each department or agency reporting to the minister in 2018-19 please provide the number of public servants broken down into headcount and FTE's that are (1) tenured and (2) on contract and, for each category, provide a breakdown of the number of (1) executives and (2) non-executives.

9. Between 30 June 2017 and 17 March 2018, will the minister list the job title and total employment cost of SA executive positions—(1) which has been abolished and (2) which has been created?

10. Between 17 March 2018 and 30 June 2018, will the minister list the job title and total employment cost of SA executive positions—(1) which has been abolished and (2) which has been created?

11. For each year of the forward estimates, please provide the name and budget for each individual program administered by or on behalf of all departments and agencies reporting to the minister.

12. For each year of the forward estimates, please provide the name and budgeted expenditure across the 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 financial years for each individual investing expenditure project administered by or on behalf of all departments and agencies reporting to the minister.

13. For each department or agency reporting to the minister how many surplus employees are there at 30 June 2018 and for each surplus employee, what is the title or classification of employee and the total cost of the employee?

The CHAIR: Minister, if you could introduce your advisers and make an opening statement, please?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I certainly can. Can I start by saying that if the member for Reynell ever leaves this place—and I do not see her doing that soon—she will be a race caller extraordinaire. Terry McAuliffe, eat your heart out. And they say that I can speak fast. That was fantastic. I would like to welcome to this committee hearing, on my left Kylie Taylor, Chief Executive, Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing, and on my right Tim Nicholas, Acting Senior Manager, Strategy and Investment.

Members in this place would be aware of the work the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing does within each of our electorates, including athletes and organisations that are working with the office, improving their club through STARCLUB, training at elite levels with SASI or applying for funding for everything from new equipment to a new facility through one of the grant programs.

The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing administers eight separate ongoing grant programs, ensuring all processes are at best practice with good governance. In 2018-19, the office will be allocating $21.3 million in grant funding across eight ongoing programs and one new program. The 2018-19 budget outlined our plan for better community services by supporting the following projects: $9.8 million for upgrades to the Adelaide Super-Drome; $19 million for the home of football at State Sports Park; $2.05 million for upgrades to the SA Athletics Stadium; $1.3 million to allow for the completion of the Sam Willoughby International BMX track; and $8 million for upgrades to the Women's Memorial Playing Fields.

These, along with many other new infrastructure initiatives in the 2018-19 budget, confirm the Marshall government's commitment to build our economy, create more jobs and deliver better community services. These initiatives alone will create in the vicinity of 165 full-time equivalent jobs in construction.

I was proud to announce our new grassroots football, netball and cricket program. The Marshall government will allocate $12 million over the next two years, which includes $1 million from Cricket Australia and SACA and $1 million from AFL and SANFL. A further $5 million is to be considered for a third year if the program is deemed successful. Funding will be allocated to support female and family-friendly facilities for local football, netball and cricket clubs and beyond.

It is anticipated that this program will fund $24 million of facility upgrades at community sporting grounds over the next two years, with an additional $10 million should the program be extended for a third year. In recognition of this significant program, other existing recreation and sport program grants will be prioritised towards other sports over that period that are eligible.

I am delighted that as a government we have committed to a revised sports voucher program, where families will be able to access a $100 voucher (up from $50) per child per calendar year towards the cost of membership or registration fees. We have also expanded eligibility to cover a wider variety of active recreational pursuits, including dance. The abolition of the $59.40 fee for volunteer screening checks for people working with children and vulnerable people is another policy initiative that I am very proud of. Sport and recreation is dependent on volunteers, and this fee was a significant barrier to participation for volunteers, and indeed participants, when these costs were passed on.

The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing is committed to addressing inequality across participation, leadership, sponsorship, remuneration and media coverage. As the chair of the national Meeting of Sport and Recreation Ministers, I am personally committed to driving this agenda, as is the chief executive of the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing, who is also currently the chair of the Committee of Australian Sport and Recreation Officials (CASRO) and is leading the working group on women in sport.

More importantly, the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing and I are focused on changing the culture of sport to allow women and girls to access the same opportunities as men and boys both on and off the field. I believe increasing female participation in sport is not dependent solely on funding, but rather changing the culture of sporting clubs so that families are welcome and encouraged to participate in multiple ways.

The office is also currently seeking input from state sporting organisations and grassroots participants through a survey process to inform future direction for women and girls in sport. Work engaging the sport and recreation sector through initiatives such as 40:40:20 is ongoing, with state sporting organisations continuing to be assisted to reach gender balance on their board. Finally, the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing provides the resources to engage with the racing industry and be the first point of contact between the government and industry.

Since corporatisation of the racing industry in 2000, the state government has not sought to interfere in the day-to-day management of the racing industry. Government's dealings with the racing industry since then have revolved around major policy issues of local and national significance. The Marshall government acknowledges the importance of the South Australian racing industry and its economic and social contributions to South Australia. Renaming the office for recreation and sport to include racing is an important step in recognising this.

The government is committed to working with the racing codes to ensure their viability and sustainability into the future. The government recently announced that it would provide the industry with a one-off grant of $4.85 million to offset the losses incurred by the industry in relation to the point of consumption tax. The government has also committed to provide a $5 million loan to assist with the completion of the Murray Bridge Racecourse development. The development located at Gifford Hill on the outskirts of Murray Bridge is a joint venture agreement between Thoroughbred Racing SA, the Murray Bridge Racing Club and developers, Burke Urban.

A new racecourse and equine precinct will continue to raise the profile and encourage further investment in the local thoroughbred racing industry which supports thousands of jobs and is an important contributor to the state's economy, in particular in regional areas. The government will continue to develop positive and constructive relationships with the state's peak racing industry bodies as well as represent the interests of South Australia's racing industry at the Australasian racing ministers' conferences.

The CHAIR: Member for Reynell, are you going to make an opening statement or go straight into questions?

Ms HILDYARD: Straight into questions, thank you, Mr Chair. Minister, at page 18 of the budget overview, it is stated that the government 'is committed to delivering improved community services and is supporting investment in upgrading community infrastructure and unlocking more outdoor spaces'. Budget Paper 4, Volume 4, page 43, shows a cut to sport, recreation and racing of over $22 million. How does that cut assist in achieving your vision in the budget overview and also the vision you have just outlined? How will that $22 million cut in any way assist in achieving that vision?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I want to be really clear on this so that you understand the position. What you are talking about is a year-on-year comparison, and if we look over the forward estimates what we are actually seeing under our government is that we are investing $40 million more in sport with capital investments. You are comparing year on year and, yes, we have put new plans in place and new projects in place and the year-on-year figure has that differential, but if you look over the forward estimates, from what the previous government had planned, they had two projects at $20 million and that was it. There was no capital investment in the budget for the office for recreation and sport, as it was known then, committed from the previous government.

However, as you rightly point out, we have put all of the capital for these projects into the budget: $24 million for the grassroots football, netball and cricket program, which I am happy to talk about later; $19 million for the State Sports Park (not in the ORSR budget under the previous government); $9.8 million for Super-Drome upgrades (not in the ORSR budget from the previous government); $8 million for the Women's Memorial Playing Fields, we have committed that (not in the ORSR budget under the previous government); support for community sporting clubs, $7.7 million for a number of clubs across the board; SA Athlete Stadium upgrade, $2.1 million; and the Sam Willoughby International BMX Track, $1.3 million.

When you look at it in isolation, yes; when you look at it across the forward estimates, there is an extra $40 million of capital investment that the previous government did not have in place. I am very proud of that. These projects are great projects and we have a very strong and clear focus on growing participation in sport. With a lot of the clubs I go to, facilities have deteriorated and dropped off, and we have programs in place now that I think will be very well patronised and engaged. We will be able to grow programs and engage community sport and get the facilities that are needed for young people to get involved.

What I did not mention as well was the $29 million we put in the budget. Again, the previous government's budget had no money for this at all. We are doing $100 sports vouchers now for primary school-aged children who want to play competitive and club sport. The previous government had ended their project and did not have any money in the forward estimates for this project. So we are delivering the full $100—

Ms HILDYARD: Chair, I think we are moving away from the $22 million cut.

The CHAIR: Just to be fair, member for Reynell, your opening statement, obviously referring to Budget Paper 1, as you did, allowed broad scope. Had you kept on page 43, you may have been okay. Your next question, member for Reynell.

Ms HILDYARD: What consultation was done before the decision was made to cut $22 million from the budget as per line 11 on page 43, Volume 4, Budget Paper 4? Was any consultation done?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: That is the same question, and I will give you a similar answer, just to be clear, as I may have not been clear enough.

Ms HILDYARD: Well, it is not clear, because it is clearly a cut.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: So let me be clear. Your government had $22 million—or the figure you are giving—in one year. We have put an extra $40 million on top of that over the forward estimates.

Ms HILDYARD: That is so not true.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Your government had no money in the ORSR forward estimates for any other projects.

Ms HILDYARD: It is just not true.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: It is absolutely true.

Ms HILDYARD: Can we just move on, Mr Chair?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: The office for rec and sport had no money in the forward estimates for those projects. I am glad you pointed them out, because football in particular is over the moon with the $19 million it has; $9.8 million for the Super-Drome is outstanding as well; the Women's Memorial Playing Fields, $8 million, is exceptional; SA Athletics Stadium also; and the Sam Willoughby International BMX Track. There are some really exciting projects there.

We have made that long-term commitment and, when you look at that capital investment, which you may have overlooked—and I am happy to take you through that a bit further—I want to be really clear that we have an extra $40 million in capital investment in the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing budget that was not there under the previous government.

Ms HILDYARD: That is just not true, and people do not believe it, minister. What plans does the government have to support the Roger Rasheed development in Christie Downs—page 45, Volume 4, Budget Paper 4, in relation to sporting complexes.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I have had some conversations with Roger, but I will get Kylie to outline where it is.

Ms TAYLOR: Roger Rasheed has come with a proposal that is seeking some money to upgrade the Morton Road facility at Christie Downs. In consultation with the minister, we have asked the Roger Rasheed Foundation to go back and provide us with their evaluation material from the two projects they have delivered already at Oaklands Park and out at Playford. They have provided us with some material, and we have also asked them to work with us and with Flinders University, so we are in conversations right now—the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing, the Roger Rasheed Foundation and the Flinders University—in terms of an evaluation framework that would sit alongside that project that can then be considered by the government. So it is about what is the rigor that sits around it so that it can be considered.

Ms HILDYARD: Thank you. Can you confirm, minister, that this development will go ahead with some funds from state government?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I think the CE just gave a very good update—

Ms HILDYARD: It was a great answer, but I am asking you whether you can confirm whether or not it is going ahead—yes or no?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: The CE just gave a great update of where that is at. We will do the evaluation. It would be wrong to go and throw money at someone without doing that evaluation and knowing where you are going, so we will do that evaluation and we will make sure that, where we invest the money, we are getting good value for money for the South Australian taxpayer.

Ms HILDYARD: Minister, can you confirm progress on the skate park at Park 25?

The CHAIR: Sorry, where are you, member for Reynell?

Ms HILDYARD: Sorry, Budget Paper 4, Volume 4, page 45, sporting complexes.

The CHAIR: Thank you. I have been like this most of the day, by the way.

Ms HILDYARD: I will keep going on this particular page.

The CHAIR: Thank you, member for Reynell.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I am informed that no-one involved with the skate park has spoken with the office for rec and sport in my time here. No-one from the skate park has spoken to the office for rec and sport about that project.

Ms HILDYARD: Well, there is not a skate park yet. Minister, is the Liberal government committed to a skate park in the city?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: A bit like the last answer—

Ms HILDYARD: Yes or no?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —if someone has a project, they are welcome to bring that proposal to the table and it can be evaluated. This is something where lots of people might have ideas, and I am sure they are good ideas, but you must do the rigour and you must evaluate them to be able to deliver on them.

Ms HILDYARD: So, minister, have you had any conversations with the skating community whatsoever?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: As I said a few moments ago, no-one involved in a project at the skate park has approached the office for rec and sport or me. They may have been having some dealings with DPTI, but I do not want to mislead the—

Ms HILDYARD: Are you saying there have been no conversations with the office for recreation and sport—

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Sorry, if I can finish—

Ms HILDYARD: —about a skate park in the city?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: That is what I am informed.

Ms HILDYARD: Okay, thank you. Minister, there was $2 million in the Mid-Year Budget Review for Aldinga Soccer Club, but council has now been told that that money will not be made available. Why was this decision made?

Mr Teague interjecting:

The CHAIR: Member for Heysen, page 45. The member for Reynell indicated she would be on this page for—

Ms HILDYARD: Yes, I will let you know when I switch.

The CHAIR: It would help the committee, member for Reynell, to perhaps just say you are keeping on page 45.

Ms HILDYARD: Sure, thank you.

Mr TEAGUE: My query is: where on page 45?

Ms HILDYARD: That is actually my question, because there was a commitment and page 45 is about sporting complexes and there is nothing there—that is my point.

The CHAIR: Conversation across the chamber is completely and utterly disorderly and out of line. I encourage you to both desist, member for Heysen and member for Reynell.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I am informed that that project actually had, again, no business case around it. There was talk of it being co-located with the super school that was potentially going into the area, and there was no location done for that super school. Again, it was another one of those projects that did not have a business case and did not have any planning in place. When they go away and get that, we are happy to sit down and talk them through that project.

Ms HILDYARD: On the same page, when was the soccer club notified that the project would not be going ahead?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: The project was a commitment of the previous government. It was never a commitment of ours, so we were never progressing with that project.

Ms HILDYARD: Have you spoken with the soccer club?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: As I just said—

Ms HILDYARD: Have you spoken with the soccer club, yes or no?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: As I just said—

The CHAIR: Member for Reynell, you have an opportunity to ask questions. The minister has an opportunity to answer the questions. It is not appropriate for you to direct the minister how to answer the question. It is for me to rule if the answers are in order or not.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: As I said, that was not an election commitment of ours. It may have been the previous government's, but they did not deliver it in their 16 years most notably. I am also advised that the chief executive of the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing has had a conversation with the Onkaparinga council about the greater precinct.

Ms HILDYARD: Minister, as you have mentioned, in the budget overview there is funding outlined for football at the State Sports Park, Adelaide Super-Drome upgrades, Women's Memorial Playing Fields, SA Athletics Stadium and the Sam Willoughby International BMX Track. Do you think it is honest to re-announce funding as if it were on your government's initiative, given that funding had already been committed by the former Labor government?

The CHAIR: Once again, member for Reynell, I am just going to give you a chance to re-ask that question. Are you inferring that the minister is being dishonest which is most unparliamentary?

Ms HILDYARD: I am asking—

The CHAIR: No, it is most unparliamentary.

Ms HILDYARD: Okay, I will reframe the question.

The CHAIR: Please do.

Ms HILDYARD: Minister, why are you outlining funding that had already been budgeted for and announced by the former Labor government?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Again, I have answered this question before but I will have another go to try to be a little bit clearer. When I got into this role as the minister, I went to the office and said, 'Right. What is in the budget? What money do we have in the office for recreation and sport for these projects?' The very short answer, and it was a really short answer, was none. The previous government—

Ms HILDYARD: That's not true.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —did not have money—

Ms HILDYARD: It's just not true.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —in the bank account—

Ms HILDYARD: It's not true.

The CHAIR: Member for Reynell, please allow the—

Ms HILDYARD: I'm sorry, Mr Chair. I just get incensed.

The CHAIR: Member for Reynell, I appreciate this is your first time in front of me this week and I am very excited that you are here. But if we just let the minister answer the question, he is completely in order and then you will be able to ask your next probing question.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: So I need to be clear: when I got into this job, I said to the chief executive, 'What money do we have in our bank account to deliver these projects?' The answer was none. The money was not there. It was a pie in the sky commitment without the funds being put into the account of the office. At the budget just gone I sought a commitment through cabinet to get the funds committed for those projects—and I can run through them with you again—

Ms HILDYARD: No, thank you.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —and they were delivered. I am very proud of that. I am very excited to be delivering those projects and when I go to the CE now and say, 'Have we got the money in the bank account for those projects?' She says yes. So the difference was, no, we did not have the money. Now the difference is, yes, we do have the money. The difference was under the former Labor government, no.

Ms HILDYARD: I think you have made your point.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Under the current Liberal government, yes, we do have the money. So it is good news—

Ms HILDYARD: Thank you.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —for those projects going forward and—

Ms HILDYARD: Thank you, minister.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —I think all the young people are very excited and—

Ms HILDYARD: Thank you.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Sorry, I just don't need you to talk over me, please.

Ms HILDYARD: Minister, the government announced that it was giving—

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Please let me finish and don't talk over me. That is a little bit rude.

The CHAIR: Order!

Ms HILDYARD: Perhaps you could make a new point.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I am making the same point—

Ms HILDYARD: Yes, you are.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —because I need to be clear because you keep asking the same question, which is fine, and I will say it again. The money was not in the account and it is in the account now. So we look forward to delivering those projects, and I know you will be excited about those projects as well.

Ms HILDYARD: Thank you, minister. Minister, there was one—

The CHAIR: Member for Reynell, you have a question?

Ms HILDYARD: Thank you, Mr Chair. On the same page: why is there $1.5 million less in your package in relation to the Super-Drome than what was committed by the previous Labor government?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Thank you again for the question. The previous amount committed by the government was zero and we have committed—

Ms HILDYARD: I understand the AIS money but I am interested in your funding.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Just to explain, the difference is it comes from the federal government; the $1.5 million comes from the federal government. The 7.7 comes from the state government.

Ms HILDYARD: It still does not add up to the same amount. Can you confirm, minister, whether the wind tunnel will be going ahead as part of that development?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: What I can confirm from what you are saying is, firstly, on the wind tunnel, yes. Secondly, on the Mid-Year Budget Review, the only items that were committed funding were the Goodwood Oval and the South Australian Women in Sport Taskforce. There was no commitment to any of these other projects—

Ms HILDYARD: It is just not true.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —in the rec and sport budget.

Ms HILDYARD: Minister, in relation to statements on page 70 of Volume 4, Budget Paper 4 in relation to page 18 of the Budget Overview and also in reference to your opening statement, how do you personally, minister, define gender equality?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I think I covered that in my opening statement, my position on this.

Ms HILDYARD: You didn't. You didn't mention it. What is your definition of gender equality, minister?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: No, I think I have covered that in my opening statement.

The CHAIR: Member for Reynell, I am looking at page 70, and I am just—

Ms HILDYARD: It is in three different places.

The CHAIR: I am sure it is. If you could just tell me which dot point it comes under on page 70.

Ms HILDYARD: It is in the budget overview on page 18, which talks about female facilities and the need to ensure that women can equally participate in all aspects of sport. It is also referenced on page 70 of Budget Paper 4, Volume 4, and in the minister's opening statement. I would have thought, in any case, that any minister should and could answer a question in relation to their definition of gender equality.

The CHAIR: Once again, if the minister wishes to answer this question, he can; however, I would argue that the minister is not responsible. The portfolio under examination is not gender equality—

Ms HILDYARD: I think all ministers are responsible for gender equality, actually.

The CHAIR: —but if the minister is happy to answer—

Ms HILDYARD: Respectfully, Mr Chair, I think all ministers, including this one, are responsible for gender equality in South Australia.

The CHAIR: I would like to think all of Her Majesty's ministers are responsible for equality.

Ms HILDYARD: So perhaps we can answer the question.

The CHAIR: Thank you, minister.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: My definition is not a budget item. I made my position very clear in the opening statement and I do not think it can be any clearer.

Ms HILDYARD: So you cannot define it here today?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Again, the definition you are asking for is not a budget item.

Ms HILDYARD: So you are not going to answer that question?

The CHAIR: Member for Reynell.

Ms HILDYARD: Very interesting. Minister, in relation to the same references, how will the government achieve gender equality in sport? What is your vision to achieve gender equality in sport? What is your definition?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Currently, across the board, participation in sport by women and girls is not equal to that of men and boys. In South Australia, across nearly all metrics of sport—participation, leadership, sponsorship, remuneration and media coverage—the engagement of women and girls is far from equal to that of men and boys. There is a significant commitment nationally and locally to address this imbalance.

As I said in my opening statement, I am personally committed, as Chair of the national Meeting of Sport and Recreation Minsters, to drive this agenda. The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing is also currently chair of the Committee of Australian Sport and Recreation Officials (CASRO) and has led the working group on women in sport—a big commitment there.

When I became minister, I asked the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing to conduct a review of the SA Women in Sport Taskforce to determine the direction and action plan for their future. The review incorporated wide-ranging consultation and analysis, in conjunction with task force members and the industry, to provide valuable insight into what is required from government and relevant stakeholders. I have listened.

Survey responses closed on 14 September, and the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing is still analysing the results, but the initial findings are quite enlightening. For state sporting associations, the three priority areas they are currently addressing are access to quality coaching, cultural change, and building participation and competition structures. Access to playing surfaces and the provision of appropriate facilities were listed as lower priorities for action on average.

In terms of what sport can do to achieve gender equality, state sporting associations identified leadership, culture and facilities as their role. Participants felt that equality of access was the most important priority for state associations. Disappointingly, over half (54 per cent) of the participant respondents indicated that they had experienced unfairness through sport. Respondents provided examples relating to payment, quality of coaching, and men and boys getting access to the best facilities and times.

Clearly, facilities have been identified as an issue and the government will continue to fund redevelopments through the Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program and the new grassroots football, netball and cricket program. What came through strongly for me was the importance of culture—how women and girls are welcomed into the club environment and how they are treated. Our clubs are in many cases the centre of our community, and my aspiration is that clubs provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all in our community.

Over the coming months we will deliver our new grants program creating spaces that are welcoming and family friendly across the three highest female participation or growth sports of AFL, cricket and netball, and will develop strategies to respond to the information gathered through the review. I think, in fact, you were invited to fill in the survey; I am not sure whether we got your response or not, I hope we did. Did we get your response?

Ms HILDYARD: I think I am asking you the questions, minister.

The CHAIR: It would not be appropriate, minister, as to whether the member for Reynell has or has not—

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Sorry; it was just an informal follow up. What I will say from the responses is that one anecdotal example given was around a facility built for women but only the elite women at that club got to use it, and when they were not using it was used by the men and the boys. They are serious issues I think we need to address.

Other things that came back is that people were looking at funds to assist with facilities to suit both male and female participants, to help build better facilities to cater for both males and females, that all new facilities be for both genders equally, and grants for building unisex facilities for trainers and players. That is some of the feedback we got.

This process has been really enlightening. We have listened to what the community has had to say. This is an exciting time, and I actually look forward to working with the member for Reynell and delivering really great outcomes for our sporting—

Ms HILDYARD: Thank you, minister. Minister—

The CHAIR: Thank you, minister. Member for Reynell, I have the call; I am the Chair. The member for Heysen has been patiently waiting for more than half an hour for a question, and I know he is eager to ask that question.

Ms HILDYARD: Maybe he can define gender equality.

The CHAIR: Member for Reynell, order.

Mr TEAGUE: Thank you, Chair. Can the minister update the committee on the progress of the government's election commitment to expand the Sports Voucher program and continue it for a further four years? I refer to Agency Statements, Budget Paper 4, Volume 4, page 70, perhaps with particular reference to the first dot point under Targets 2018-19.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I thank the member for his question; I know he is very passionate about his community and, in particular, about the young people in his community we want to engage with and whose participation we want to grow. We know that the cost of living is an inhibitor to people who have to pay to play sport, so this is a really great program.

The Sports Vouchers program commenced in 2015. It currently provides a discount of up to $50 for all primary-school-aged children towards the cost of sports club fees or memberships. Our election commitment was not only to continue this valuable program but also to double the discount, meaning that from 1 January 2019 each primary-school-aged child in South Australia can claim up to $100 discount. Further, this government appreciates that dance has not been an eligible activity in the past, so we are also making all forms of dance an eligible activity. Dance organisations need to register as a voucher provider to ensure that from 1 January 2019 they can offer a sports voucher discount.

We will be communicating these exciting updates of the expanded program to some 1,500 registered sports voucher providers in the coming weeks. The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing has responsibility for the administration of this program and will be managing the promotion and communication around this to ensure that all providers are ready to offer up to $100 discount in 2019.

According to the latest Australian Sports Commission 2017 AusPlay data, 63 per cent of children participate in organised physical activity outside of school hours at least once per week. The Active Healthy Kids Australia 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Young People reports that while two-thirds of Australian children participate in organised out-of-school sport, fewer than 20 per cent meet daily physical activity recommendations, and that is key. These statistics show that as a nation, whilst we are continuing to see children participate, there is still room to improve. By doubling the discount and providing sports vouchers of up to $100, we are helping families manage the cost of one of the barriers to participation.

The Sports Vouchers program continues to be embraced by the whole community: parents, grassroots clubs, and private sport providers alike. I am delighted to advise the committee that to date more than 194,000 vouchers have been redeemed worth over $9.5 million since the program's inception. Aussie rules football continues to be the most popular sport with children using sports vouchers. From the 55,515 vouchers redeemed in 2017, some 20,480 vouchers were for Aussie Rules alone, and we know the uptake of young girls in particular playing football has been a big reason in that rise which is outstanding.

The other most popular sports rounding out the top five during 2017 were netball, 9,717 vouchers; football (soccer), 6,936 vouchers; gymnastics, 4,441 vouchers; and basketball, 2,517 vouchers. With double the discount being offered from 1 January 2019, I encourage all clubs and parents to continue to embrace this valuable program. I look forward to reporting on future figures on sports vouchers and seeing the difference the $100 voucher is making to our community and our state.

Ms HILDYARD: On the same page, why is the $100—

The CHAIR: Which page?

Ms HILDYARD: Page 71. Why is the $100 sports voucher not available for private swimming lessons?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Just so we are clear, nothing has changed from the previous way this was done.

Ms HILDYARD: That is not my question.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Sorry, if I can just finish. Nothing has changed from the previous way this was done. The provider has to be affiliated with a state association, so that means they can be accountable and it can be accounted for. So if someone is affiliated with a state association, they can claim the voucher, and that is the way that the program has worked in the past and will continue to work in the future.

Ms HILDYARD: Will the grant submission from Recreation SA to conduct research into why primary school students are not able to access water safety lessons be granted by the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I am told that grant submission has just been resubmitted, and is in the process of being considered at the moment.

Ms HILDYARD: Budget Paper 4, Volume 4, page 70, and page 18 of the Budget Overview. How does the Female Facilities Program cut, the $24 million program cut, and the $10 million cut from the last fully funded round assist in achieving gender equality in sport? Clearly the $5 million per year, which is absolutely contingent on council and club funding, is nowhere near the $24 million, and nor does it compensate for the $10 million that was cut. How does that cut assist in your vision to achieve gender equality?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Again, I need to clarify some numbers because they have been a bit misconstrued. We are not continuing with the $10 million that was in the process—

Ms HILDYARD: Nor the $24 million—

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —sorry—the $10 million in the process for the Female Facilities Program that the previous government had. We have gone with a new project, which I am delighted to talk about. We have gone with the grassroots football, netball and cricket program, which has a huge growth rate: netball, 35,000 participants; cricket, 62 per cent of new people starting cricket are female; and football, you know all too well has gone from 2,000 to 4,000 to 6,000 female participants in the last three years. The growth of females playing those sports has been exceptionally big so we have gone with that new program.

To clarify the numbers, so it is on the record: as a new government we have not rolled out the $10 million that was in the female facilities. We have gone with this new project and, in fact, we have put an extra $5 million in. So we took the $10 million and we added an extra $5 million, so it is $5 million,$5 million and $5 million over the next three years.

We have engaged with the SANFL and AFL, as well as Cricket Australia and SACA, as a group. Along with Netball SA, they were so keen on the project that the football and cricket components contributed $1 million each to this project. We are unapologetic in saying that doing the co-funded projects with council is the right way to go. I stand to be corrected on this figure—and I will correct it for the committee if I am wrong—but over 70 per cent of community sports clubs are built on council property. So I think it is really exciting to have council be a stakeholder in this program.

I think it is a really good project to partner with those organisations and have them put skin in the game in high-growth areas that are really focused around women and girls. We need to be clear that the $14 million that the government put into this project—

Ms HILDYARD: Twenty-four.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —in its 16 years—

Ms HILDYARD: Twenty-four.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Hang on, $14 million is what the previous government spent on this project.

Ms HILDYARD: Twenty-four was committed—fully funded and budgeted.

The CHAIR: Order! The minister is answering the question. Let him answer in silence, please.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: So $14 million was expended by the previous government, and we as the new government have taken the last $10 million and put it into our own project. We have actually added that $10 million and put in an extra $5 million. So our $15 million plus the $2 million from cricket and football makes it $17 million. It is a joint funded project, so there is $24 million, with another $10 million in the wings, so potentially $34 million. That is an exciting project and we are very keen to deliver that for South Australia. It is a really good project and I think people are excited by it. I look forward to delivering it over the time.

When I came into this job, I asked about the women's facilities program. I can go over old ground, but I have spoken about the work we did when we surveyed the community, the state sporting organisations and people involved in the Women in Sport Taskforce and got some really great feedback. I looked at the women's facilities program—it is one of the first things I did—and I said, 'Great concept. How are we going? There is $14 million that has been allocated to this. How much has actually been delivered in projects on the ground?' and it was less than $0.5 million that had actually been delivered in that time. The government had been in for 16 years at that stage and had done the program over the last few years of their term. I think the figure was less than $0.5 million—again, I will correct that if I am wrong.

Ms HILDYARD: My budget paper states something else.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: The other projects had not actually been delivered, so I have made a concerted effort to work with the office and make sure that we get these projects delivered. A lot of that money was just sitting in bank accounts and not being put into facilities on the ground, and that is what is important. Our focus with our grassroots community sports project is very much about getting facilities on the ground.

There is a lot of talk about change rooms, etc., but the other thing that has come to me—and I have talked about culture as part of the survey—is that we need to have a club, and a club environment, and community areas. I think it is really important that people congregate and meet for health benefits, etc., but we must have a club environment that is welcoming to women, and to everyone, so that they feel empowered to be able to be the best they can be and do the best they can do.

Ms HILDYARD: Mr Chair, I think we are going over old ground. We really are.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: We need to make sure that we deliver that, and that is what I am focused on delivering. When you say $24 million of cuts, that is actually wrong. There has been $14 million invested by the previous government in their program. We have taken the $10 million and we have turned it into what I believe is a better program for all of South Australia to get better facilities—

Ms HILDYARD: Thank you, minister.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —better culture—

Ms HILDYARD: Mr Chair, we have heard this before.

The CHAIR: Member for Reynell, the minister is concluding his answer.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —and community clubs—

Ms HILDYARD: It is repetition.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —for all of the community, and I am very proud of that.

The CHAIR: Member for Reynell, I hope you have a different question or a different line item.

Ms HILDYARD: Thank you, Mr Chair. No, it is on the same budget paper.

The CHAIR: Another repetition.

Ms HILDYARD: What is your message to the volunteers who spent countless hours applying for the final $10 million round of the $24 million program? Particularly, what is your message to those codes in rugby, basketball, soccer and hockey, all of those other codes that cannot ever now apply for any funds? What is your message to them? They are pretty angry with you, let me tell you. Some of them cannot apply, so I am really interested to know about those in the codes that are now excluded. I am sure all the members would like to know about that.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Thank you very much. I have just been advised, and I am very well aware, that the department rang every one of those people who made an application and we understand and appreciate the work that went in.

Ms HILDYARD: Yes, what is your message, minister?

The CHAIR: Member for Reynell, you have had an opportunity to ask your question. The minister is answering the question. He has consulted with his adviser, which is consistent with every other minister who has ever, ever appeared before any other estimates committee. This one is no different. Minister, please continue.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Thank you, Chair. They have all been rung and spoken to. The office has offered to work with them and facilitate them across to one of the new programs. For those who do not fit into the new program, the grassroots community football, netball or cricket program, they can go across to the Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program and be worked across there.

I would be very surprised, on advice, if they could not all be reprogrammed into one of those other programs, such as the Active Club Program, etc. The department has been working very closely with everyone who applied. As you know, when there are applications, there are more applications than can be granted anyway, which is always disappointing. But, everyone has been contacted. The department has offered to work closely and reprofile all of those applications across to a new program that would suit them. On advice, I do not think there are many, if any, that would not fit into one of the other programs, be they other sports you mentioned liked rugby, basketball and so on. There are programs there for everyone and we are willing to work through that with all of them.

Ms HILDYARD: Minister, do you think they are all happy with that response?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: As I said, we have put our programs in place. We are excited by these programs and we think they are going to deliver very, very good outcomes. We are very outcome focused. I mentioned before the previous program. When I got into government there was, arguably, $12 million or $13 million—maybe more—sitting in the pockets of clubs, not in facilities. We are very focused on engaging with councils, working with councils and getting this money into the community to deliver what they need, be it a facility or be it lighting.

One of the other pieces of feedback that I received from this that you would be interested in, I think, member for Reynell, was about lighting. At this club, women said, 'We want lighting to allow us to walk safely to our car.' So it was not even the change rooms that they were worried about. They wanted lighting so that they felt safe walking to the car. They are the sorts of things coming from the communities that we all know and live in, and I know you do too. We want to listen to them and we want to assist them where we can to have those facilities that are community based, community minded and have men, women, boys, girls—everyone in the community—involved, engaged and part of a community sporting club. That is what we are really focused on delivering and excited about delivering.

Ms HILDYARD: Minister, have you spoken—

The CHAIR: Member for Narungga.

Ms HILDYARD: Seriously?

The CHAIR: Sorry; what does 'seriously' mean, member for Reynell?

Ms HILDYARD: With seven minutes to go.

The CHAIR: I do not know what that means. Do you have a point of order or are you questioning my ruling?

Ms HILDYARD: I will withdraw that.

The CHAIR: Thank you, member for Reynell.

Ms HILDYARD: Seven minutes.

The CHAIR: Sorry, member for Reynell.

Ms HILDYARD: I was just looking at my clock.

The CHAIR: I am thoroughly looking forward to writing the report for this Estimates Committee B, which, of course, started at 9am last Friday. I would say that government members of the committee—not that I see them as government members, I see them as members of the committee—members of the committee who sit on my right have probably in total asked about 22 questions across five days of estimates, and I would say that members who sit on my left have probably asked in the order of maybe close to 1,000 questions, or 600 or 700 at least, I would have thought. So I will be very keen for that wrap-up. If you seriously think that is an issue, member for Reynell, I take great umbrage at that, but I am glad you withdrew that statement. Member for Narungga.

Mr ELLIS: Thank you. I have a serious question.

The CHAIR: The 23^rd question from the government in a week.

Mr ELLIS: I would like to take the minister to Budget Paper 4, Volume 4, page 71. Can the minister provide some information about the successful applicants under the latest round of the Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program and tell us if there might be a particular focus on regional funding that was awarded?

The CHAIR: No doubt the minister will be brief in his question to allow one or two final questions from the member for Reynell.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Thank you very much. I thank the member for the question. I am pleased to provide an update to the committee, with a bit of information about this grant program as well. The Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program is another one of those that I think most clubs or groups across the state should fit into. Again, I commend the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing to the committee for the work that they do to help facilitate this for clubs and groups that are looking to apply for this grant.

The Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program helps eligible organisations establish or improve active recreation and sports facilities to meet the needs of the community in South Australia. Eligible applicants can apply under the following categories: minor facility development (requests between $25,000 and $200,000); and major facility development (requests between $200,000 and $1 million). The budget for the 2018-19 year is $4.28 million. A total of 29 applications were approved under the 2018-19 round, with six metropolitan projects totalling $763,300, five greater metropolitan projects at $379,800, and 18 regional projects totalling $3.136 million.

I am pleased to provide the committee with the following details about some of the successful regional applications. The electorate of Chaffey received $135,000 for the Renmark Tintra Lawn Tennis Club and $45,700 for the Renmark Table Tennis Association. The electorate of Flinders received $135,000 to upgrade the Ceduna Sailing Club, $190,000 to assist the redevelopment of the Port Lincoln Leisure Centre, $630,000 to construct the Cleve multifunction community sports centre, and $368,000 to construct the integrated recreation and sport activity zone in Wudinna.

The electorate of Hammond received $197,500 for the community centre at Callington, $168,500 to develop stage 2 of the Murray Coorong Trail, $416,500 to construct a swimming pool in Karoonda, $200,000 for a six-kilometre shared use walking trail in Kinchina Conservation Park, and $171,700 for a multidiscipline shooting complex and clubhouse at Tungkillo. I know quite a bit went to the electorate of Narungga too, if I am—

Mr ELLIS: Not enough.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Not enough. I know the electorate of Narungga did very well also. The electorate of Wright also received $500,000 for a community facility at Bridgestone Reserve in Brahma Lodge. It is great to see the metropolitan and the regional electorates—

The CHAIR: Anything in Waite?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: For that, I would have to go back and double-check. I do not have all the successful applicants there.

The CHAIR: I am disappointed.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I will take that on notice, Chair, and the department can let you know.

The CHAIR: Minister, could I ask you to conclude, so we can allow the member for Reynell one or two more quick questions.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Absolutely. I am pleased to let the committee know that applications for the 2019-20 round of the Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program are anticipated to open in early February and close in April 2019. Successful clubs can expect to be notified in late July 2019. I do commend that program to the committee.

The CHAIR: The member for Reynell.

Ms HILDYARD: Thank you, Mr Chair. In relation to Budget Paper 4, Volume 4, page 70, where is the Female Participation Grant program?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: The grant you are talking about, just to be clear, is the Female Participation Grant, which was part of a one-off payment to the office that went through a number of different projects. It was not an ongoing fund or commitment or anything like that; it was a one-off payment.

Ms HILDYARD: So it has been cut.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: That was a $300,000 commitment through the Mid-Year Budget Review. It was just a one-off payment and it was just a one-off round of grants. Again, when I came into the position I do not think all of that had been expended, so it was with great pleasure that we found a lot of other projects around women's sport that we were able to support and fund.

An assertion that the female participation grant has been cut or axed is totally untrue. It was a one-off payment, as I stressed, through the Mid-Year Budget Review last year, and the female participation grant was one element of that piece of funding. When you look in the budget, you will not find it because it was not an ongoing program. I just have to be very—

Ms HILDYARD: I just have one question, thank you, Mr Chair.

The CHAIR: Member for Reynell, I will have it known that we are over 3.45 but I am the most generous chair ever know to estimates and—

Ms HILDYARD: Absolutely.

The CHAIR: —this better be a quick question.

Ms HILDYARD: It is a very quick question. Thank you, Mr Chair. Minister, in relation to the same page, where is the funding committed in last year's budget to ensure equal prize money for men and women at South Australia's iconic Bay Sheffield?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I am informed that did not come through the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing.

Ms HILDYARD: So where is it? It is one of the most iconic sporting events in South Australia, so where is it in the budget?

The CHAIR: Member for Reynell, if it is not a payment administered under this portfolio then unfortunately the minister is not responsible for that.

Ms HILDYARD: Disappeared.

The CHAIR: I suggest it may sit with the Treasurer. Alas, there being no further time for questions I declare the examination of the proposed payments for the portfolio Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing and the estimate for payments for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the administrative items for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet completed. I lay before the committee a draft report.

Mr TEAGUE: I move:

That the draft report be the report of the committee.

Motion carried.

The CHAIR: Wonderful. Before I formally close the committee, could I thank all the staff of the house for their forbearance over the last week.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Can I indulge for 30 seconds and thank all my staff and all the people involved. It is a very long process for all the agencies and all the departments that I work with. I would like to pass on my great thanks to them and, as I said, in particular my staff who do a mountain of work—a big thank you to them as well.

The CHAIR: Thank you. I am sure the member for Reynell on behalf of the opposition concurs with that.

Ms HILDYARD: I absolutely concur with that. Thank you very much.

At 15:47 the committee concluded.