SOUTH AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY CLUB

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen) (14:45): I have another question for the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. Was the minister aware of and did he approve payments above and beyond the estimated cost of a review into the state's three racing codes conducted by Philip Bentley in early 2007? According to documents from within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, the estimated cost of the Bentley review was $50,000, later capped at what a file note describes as 'an absolute maximum of $80,000'. However, invoices show a total payment of $109,560.

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:45): Of course, what the honourable member wants to do here is attempt to muddy the waters with regard to Mr Bentley. Mr Bentley did a very important landscape piece of work that took an extended period of time. Those figures the honourable member quotes are, I think, about right. They do not come as a surprise to me.

What needs to be highlighted is that the piece of work undertaken by Mr Bentley—a very good piece of work—showed the future for the three codes, namely, thoroughbred, harness and greyhounds. Mr Bentley worked closely with people in the industry. It took a longer time to complete than first thought, and, obviously, he needs to be paid for his work.