House of Assembly Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2) 52 2 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Business Innovation BUSINESS INNOVATION Mr MARSHALL House of Assembly Norwood BUSINESS INNOVATION Mr MARSHALL (Norwood) (14:48): Thank you, Madam Speaker. I hope you notice I have been on my very best behaviour today. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Good. Mr MARSHALL House of Assembly Mr MARSHALL: My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade. Will the minister explain why he claimed in a recent media statement, 'Despite pulling funding for the body,' Innovate SA, 'the government's support for innovation remains undiminished' whilst he simultaneously cut the only program specifically aimed at stimulating business innovation in this state? Will the minister explain which agencies will be taking over Innovate SA's programs and services? On 23 February this year, the minister stated, 'Innovate SA has offered a range of services...and a significant number of these will continue to be available through other agencies.' The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: The Minister for Trade. Mr Marshall House of Assembly Mr Marshall: Serious question. The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly West Torrens Minister for Manufacturing Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy Minister for Small Business The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:49): I thought you were on your best behaviour. I thank the member for Norwood for his question, and I refer him to our new department called the Department for—wait for it—Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy. We made this decision two years ago. This new department, which our new Premier has brought into being, will be focusing on innovation. We put manufacturing and innovation in the name to specifically focus the department. We have also established— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! Mrs Redmond interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The government also recently launched Invest in South Australia, which will play a key role in securing investment which will build on existing prosperity. The government is committed to the redevelopment of Tonsley. This new focus in this new department will set the scene for things such as Innovate SA. I will say this, Madam Speaker: the opposition was so horrified with the budget cuts, they voted for them. An honourable member House of Assembly An honourable member: No, we didn't. The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, you did. Mr Marshall House of Assembly Mr Marshall: What are you talking about? Is that your answer? The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! Mr Marshall interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order, member for Norwood! Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Taylor.