SMALL VENUE LEGISLATION

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide) (14:27): My question is to the Minister for Business Services and Consumers. Can the minister please update the house about the small venues legislation that has just passed both houses of parliament, and about what has been said of this initiative?

The SPEAKER: Before I call the Deputy Premier, it's not really in order for a minister, having got a bill through the parliament, to then tell the parliament about the bill during question time, because that information is readily available from the text of the bill and from Hansard. But, with that rider, I call the Deputy Premier.

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:28): I am grateful for that assistance, Mr Speaker. Perhaps by way of a refresher, can I say that the legislation as passed provides the flexibility and capacity limits that will allow small venues in South Australia to flourish. It won't be just bars—

Mr PISONI: Point of order, sir. I ask that you consider standing order 119 that clearly says a member may not reflect upon a vote of the house, except for the purpose of moving the vote to be rescinded. Is the minister moving for the vote to be rescinded?

The SPEAKER: Look, I'll listen carefully to what the Deputy Premier has to say, but in my view to date he hadn't reflected on the vote by way of criticising it or maligning it. Deputy Premier.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Can I say, Mr Speaker, I was about to eventually say how delightful it was, so I am hardly reflecting badly on it. In any event, this won't just be bars that take up the small venue licences: it will include restaurants, art galleries, live music venues and other new and interesting spaces in the CBD. This licence is an important step in the evolution of Adelaide as a vibrant city. It will change the way Adelaide is perceived by many young people and will help keep enterprises in our state. This is a positive step for changing the—

Mr WILLIAMS: Mr Speaker—

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier will be seated. The member for MacKillop.

Mr WILLIAMS: If I may, sir, I thought it would help the business of the house if the minister sought leave to insert what he is reading, without having read it, into Hansard.

The SPEAKER: That was a frivolous or vexatious point of order and accordingly I call the member for MacKillop to order. The Deputy Premier.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Thank you very much. Mr Speaker, it is handy to have some written notes because I am being interrupted so often I might repeat myself, which would be terrible. In any event, we also note the possibility of expanding this licence category into new precincts possibly in the future. I am particularly pleased that this government initiative passed yesterday unopposed and unamended in another place.

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Point of order, Mr Speaker. Standing order 120 states 'a member may not refer to any debate in the other house of parliament or any measure impending in that house'. The minister has just referred to the debate in the other chamber that has been completed and, therefore, I believe he is out of order under section 120.

The SPEAKER: If I hear the Deputy Premier referring to debate in another place I will, of course, sit him down. Deputy Premier.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: As I was about to say, this is yet again evidence that this is a can-do government getting things done. The government consulted with a wide range of interested parties to ensure we got this legislation right, particularly in finding a capacity for the licence category that will work in the market. I do note, however, that the deputy leader in this place said and I quote—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I anticipate the point of order. I am afraid I shall have to terminate the Deputy Premier's answer. The member for Davenport.