BENSTED, MS E.

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:43): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Was the minister a referee for Elaine Bensted who was yesterday announced as the new CEO of the Zoo; and, if he was a referee for her, how is that not a conflict of interest for the minister who funds the Zoo and who has recently bailed out the Zoo?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:43): The Zoo is an organisation independent of government. It is placed on our land—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: —and, like many organisations, we do fund those organisations that are at arm's length from the state government.

Mr Williams: How many do you bail out?

The SPEAKER: Member for MacKillop, order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: Madam Speaker, yes, I was a referee for Elaine Bensted. I do not believe in any way that that is a conflict of interest—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: —and I, indeed, welcome her appointment to the executive officer's position of Zoos SA.