Hills Limited

Mr TARZIA (Hartley) (14:51): Supplementary, sir: has the government approached Hills Limited over this failed partnership to recoup money that the government spent in the venture, as recently reported?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (14:51): I think it's fair to say that as Treasurer I've signed off on a number of grants to companies that were signed off last decade and, indeed, in the early 1990s, and I'm sure my other colleagues have seen the number of loans and interest-free loans that the former government signed off to—

Ms Chapman: Down the drain.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The former government signed off—the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says: 'down the drain'—

The Hon. J.J. Snelling: Helpfully.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, helpfully, thank you. But it doesn't mean that they're all failed. It doesn't mean that just because a grant does not arrive to its final conclusion there hasn't been some good that's come out of it. Hills are a great Australian company, and they are a great family business that have grown to do amazing things; they are an iconic Australian company. But the thing about entrepreneurship is that not every venture succeeds. So, I am more than happy—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I am more than happy to stand alongside the risk-takers, to stand alongside the people who want to have a go, have a risk—not the ones who sit safely in opposition, comfortable and content, where they are fighting over the scraps of opposition. Those who enjoy the malaise—

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order, sir: distinct debate.

The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Then I apologise to the house for saying that the members opposite enjoy the malaise rather than that they are fat and happy just where they are.