ADELAIDE ZOO BOARD

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14:50): My question is to the Treasurer. Given that the government has three public servants appointed to the Adelaide Zoo board, including Rodney Hobbs from Treasury and Finance, how is it—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Acclamation from both sides of the house, I notice. I wonder why.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Madam Speaker, I am sure that the government has some interest in this question. I will ask it again. Given that the government has three public servants appointed to the Adelaide Zoo board, including Rodney Hobbs from Treasury and Finance, how is it that the zoo was able to increase debt to unsustainable levels; and did Mr Hobbs and other representatives of the government ever raise concerns about the zoo's finance with the Treasurer and, if not, what was their purpose in being on the board?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Treasurer, were you able to hear that question?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: I will ask it again for the Treasurer.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Less noise, please.

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Given that the government has three public servants appointed to the Adelaide Zoo board, including Rodney Hobbs from Treasury and Finance, how is it that the zoo was able to increase debt to unsustainable levels; and did Mr Hobbs or the other government representatives ever raise concerns about the zoo's finance with the Treasurer and, if not, what was their purpose of being on the board?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Treasurer, Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education) (14:51): I know that Mr Hobbs is a beloved figure for members of this chamber.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: I need to check the history of the government representatives. I know the government has been entitled to have representatives on the board. I need to check the history of the government's representation.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: I will investigate and I will be asking questions. I will be asking some serious questions.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Indeed! The government expects the best of our public servants who serve on boards representing the government, and if there have been some inadequacies—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: —then I will take the appropriate action.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: But we have two new representatives on the board: a new official from Treasury, who is representing the government on the board, and Dr Susan Close from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. They have specifically been appointed to the board only very recently and I am looking forward to them discharging their duties well.

The SPEAKER: I imagine Mr Hobbs is very busy looking at our global allowances. It is amazing how much passion the man can inspire from both sides of the house. It is good to see members from both sides are united on an issue. The member for Bragg.