AIRASIA X

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite) (14:28): My question is to the Minister for Tourism. Can the minister advise if there were any state exemptions or concessions offered as part of the negotiations to attract AirAsia to Adelaide?

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson—Minister for Tourism, Minister for Recreation and Sport) (14:28): I thank the member for his question. Of course, this morning we welcomed AirAsia X into South Australia, and their entrance here will mean an economic benefit to South Australia of $30 million a year. We are joining with AirAsia X on a joint marketing exercise. Our government, along with Adelaide Airport and AirAsia X, is coinvesting in marketing into Asia.

We have already been doing that since July, since AirAsia X indicated that they would be flying to Adelaide. That has resulted in 10,000 people from Malaysia and China booking tickets on the route from KL down to Adelaide. But has there been any money to attract the airline here? No.