ADELAIDE OVAL

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Federal/State Relations, Minister for Defence Industries) (14:08): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I rise to update the house on matters which were raised by the opposition yesterday in respect of the Adelaide Oval redevelopment. Yesterday, the Leader of the Opposition asked me on what date I was first aware that the government's initial commitment was insufficient to deliver a FIFA-compliant stadium. I responded:

...over a number of weeks—in reports that I was given verbally, that there were concerns about the scope and the cost of the works. We continually requested that the SMA look at doing all it can to remain within the budget allocation that the government had provided, but about a week or so ago it was clear that that was not going to happen.

After a thorough document and record search in my office, I am now in a position, as I said, to provide to the house more specific advice. I am now advised that I was first verbally updated by members of the government steering committee on 30 March about the work of the Stadium Management Authority. On 1 April—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the Deputy Premier is on his feet!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: —I received advice from the Department of Treasury and Finance in connection with a cabinet submission on a separate but related matter which included references to the Adelaide Oval redevelopment proposal. This advice informed me that the latest feedback from the Stadium Management Authority was indicating that the potential redevelopment costs could significantly exceed the government's $450 million commitment. I noted this advice on 7 April. It was following the receipt of this advice that I requested more detailed and up-to-date advice. This was received by the steering committee and communicated to me formally in an advice from Treasury, which I received on 18 May.

The leader and the member for Davenport also asked whether I met with the authority in the week leading up to 9 March in the election campaign period. I can now confirm that this meeting occurred on 3 March, and I also confirm to the house that, to the best of my memory, I was not advised of the potential costs of the redevelopment at that meeting.

Mr Pisoni: What were you advised of?

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Well, just listen.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: This was an early meeting to show design concepts that were emerging from the work of the authority.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!