SOUTH AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Mr PICCOLO (Light) (14:36): My question is to the Minister for Volunteers. Can the minister update the house on the South Australian finalists for the Australian of the Year Awards?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:36): I thank the honourable member for his important question. Last night I was honoured to represent the government at the presentation of the South Australian of the Year Awards. It was a wonderful evening, and I offer my sincere congratulations to all those nominated for their invaluable contribution to our state. Four awards were presented last night. Peter Goers, a well-known and much-loved local radio presenter was crowned SA's Local Hero—

Mr Marshall: A Norwood resident.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —yes, a Norwood resident—in recognition of his dedicated voluntary work with a large number of community organisations and events. Internationally-recognised expert in the field of water management and water quality Professor Don Bursill was named South Australia's Senior Australian of the Year.

Vincent Jack Buckskin is truly a remarkable young South Australian. A Kaurna and Narrunga man, he teaches the endangered Kaurna language to more than 100 Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students between the ages of five and 62. Last night Jack was named Young South Australian of the Year.

Finally, the recipient of the South Australian of the Year Award was given to internationally-renowned physicist Professor Tanya Monro of Adelaide University, a fantastic young woman. I was honoured to meet, for the first time, the famous Professor Monro, last night and speak with her about her research, which, funnily enough, includes a collaboration with the region of Puglia.

Professor Monro very generously shared with me her views about the Puglia/South Australia research collaboration. She told me—

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson: What did she say?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: Well may you ask. She told me that she believed it to be completely unjustified to belittle a fantastic project, which will have very real and tangible benefits across many sectors—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —of the South Australian and international community. She advised me that the Italian academics who have been part of her research have been a great asset, and that Adelaide has world-class facilities in applied research programs funded through state and federal government initiatives.

Professor Monro told me that the relationship is so valuable because it allows us to take ideas from high-quality Italian researchers and translate them into reality, using our cutting-edge facilities, giving us the opportunity for world-class outcomes. In fact, Professor Monro went on to stress that she would like to see greater collaboration between South Australia and Italy because the results of such partnerships are incredibly beneficial to the research being undertaken here in South Australia.

The Hon. R.B. Such: She's on the payroll.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: I ask you to withdraw that remark. Madam Speaker, the member for Fisher said that she was 'on the payroll'.

The SPEAKER: Would the member for Fisher resume his seat.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: I ask the member for Fisher to withdraw that comment.

The Hon. R.B. SUCH: By way of personal explanation, the professor is on the payroll of Adelaide University. I met her last Friday. She is not a volunteer.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: Can I respond to that? Can I explain to the member for Fisher—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: In this particular case, I am speaking about Professor Monro's collaboration with Puglia and South Australia. She does not receive a cent for the work she does as part of that project; it comes from Puglia. So, in fact, she is not on the payroll when it comes to this matter.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: I shall continue nonetheless. They have besmirched an outstanding South Australian's reputation—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will sit down.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Be careful member for Unley, or you will be out again—for three days this time. I accept the member for Fisher's explanation. There was no point of order anyway. Minister, would you get back to your answer.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: Madam Speaker, she said that any initiative that enhances collaboration between universities in different countries is of great value. There is no doubt that public debates are important; however, in all of this we must be very careful not to trash our researchers, their outstanding work, and our fine institutions.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Listen to the minister in silence, please.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: In my view, that is the risk that we now face as the member for Waite uses this debate to reposition himself against the Leader of the Opposition. Well, I'm backing you, Isobel!

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will sit down.

Mr PISONI: Point of order. This question is about the volunteer awards night last night, not about Puglia. It is outrageous.

The SPEAKER: I will uphold that point of order. The minister has strayed from the substance of the question. Have you finished your answer, minister?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: I have, Madam Speaker.