Small Business Commissioner

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart) (15:47): Now that the minister has had, I assume, several weeks to analyse this report, what decisions or actions by the government have been identified which were based upon the false information provided by the former small business commissioner and must now be reviewed?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (15:47): I think it is fair to say that the opposition have never supported the establishment of an advocate for small business in this state. In fact, if my recollection is correct, they all voted against its establishment as an office. I have never really understood why members opposite—

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order, sir. I believe the minister—

The SPEAKER: Sorry, I was listening to the leader.

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Yes, the minister is debating the question.

The SPEAKER: I couldn't possibly believe that of the minister.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Thank you, Mr Speaker. We have always been an advocate of having a small business commissioner to do their role. We have changed commissioners. We have a new commissioner, Mr Chapman, who headed up an industry association, the MTA. I understand he is a former employee of former premier Olsen, who is held in high regard by the private sector and, I would have thought, in high regard by the small business community, given he was head of an association that was predominantly made up of small businesses. I have taken his advice in my ministerial statement to the parliament today. I have supported steps put in place by the commissioner that Mr Chapman has subsequently put in place in the new procedures relating to data collection.

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order, Mr Speaker. I believe the minister is still debating the question. The question was about what government decisions have been made based on false information which must now be reviewed, not what steps have been put in place to make sure—

The SPEAKER: The minister will answer the substance of the question.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, sir. We support the role and function of the Small Business Commissioner. I think the current commissioner does an outstanding job, ably assisted by his deputy and ably assisted by an office that is aching to go out there and do good for the small business community. We support every function and power we have given them.

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order, Mr Speaker. Again, this is debate. The question had nothing to do with support for the commissioner. The question was very clearly about what decisions the government has identified which were based—

The Hon. J.M. Rankine interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Wright is called to order.

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: —on false information.

The SPEAKER: The minister will answer the substance of the question or finish.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Sir, I have concluded my remarks. I support every decision we have taken for the Small Business Commissioner.