APY LANDS

Mr PISONI (Unley) (15:10): My question is for the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation—from one Italian to another. Will the minister confirm that she has spent more nights in Italy than in the APY lands since becoming the minister?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! That was a very provocative question.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers, Minister Assisting the Premier in Social Inclusion) (15:11): I am very happy to answer it, Madam Speaker. Unlike you, I can juggle more than one thing at the same time, so I can juggle—

Mr PISONI: Point of order. The member is reflecting on other members—

The SPEAKER: Thank you; sit down.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: From one Italian to another, I can juggle more than one thing at a time, and the fact—

An honourable member: That's Amore.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: That's Amore!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: These are the facts, Madam Speaker: I gather they are referring to a trip that I had planned, to meet with senior Italian government officials—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: People say I look like Sophia Loren, but, you know—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: Anyway, Madam Speaker, there are very serious—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: There are very serious issues that are facing our largest—

The SPEAKER: Order; a question has been asked. If you don't want to hear the answer we will close down question time.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister, return to your answer.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: There are some very significant issues facing our largest ethnic community, the Italian community. The first is in relation to the closure of the Italian consulate; the second is in relation to changes that have been made to the way that pensions are paid to people here in South Australia. I am simply doing what the member for Bragg urged me to do when she was on Italian radio just recently, and asked me to get on with it and do it.

Ms Chapman: I didn't ask you to take David Cappo with you!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: I have no intention of taking David Cappo with me. She asked me to do whatever I could to save the Italian consulate; and I am.