Motions

Adelaide Oval

Debate resumed.

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton) (12:55): I will not hold up the house for very long, maybe only five minutes. I congratulate the member for Kaurna on bringing this motion to the house. It has just been amazing to see the transformation of Adelaide Oval. I do acknowledge the member for Chaffey, who talked and gave us a bit of a history lesson about what has occurred there.

I do recall that my son Simon—beautiful boy that he still is—was overseas and he came back and said, 'Dad, what on earth are you and your government doing to Adelaide Oval? You're going to ruin this great place of historical significance.' And he said—and it is not the first time he has ever said this to me, 'You've got rocks in your head, dad.' That is politer than he normally is. But he changed his mind, and it only took one visit to Adelaide Oval when he went with some of his mates for the first test match after the redevelopment, and he said, straight up, 'I was wrong. This is the best stadium in the world.'

I think that is the general view held by most South Australians and, indeed, those who visit Adelaide and attend Adelaide Oval because it is the most amazing stadium. It is perfectly constructed. Every seat has a good view. You feel you are part of the action when you are there, no matter where you are sitting and it is just something that is adding to the many things that make South Australia the great state it is.

I also want to quickly focus on the other benefits that have arisen as a result of Adelaide Oval. We see that the strategy of this government has been to develop Adelaide as a vibrant city that people want to not only visit but be entertained. They are entertained at the football, but the flow-on effects to our economy through those people attending the football, whether they be from interstate or locals, is the amount of money they spend afterwards at restaurants or on other forms of entertainment.

It just made a lot of sense. While some of my constituents are still unhappy about the fact that they have to come to Adelaide Oval and not West Lakes, because that was more convenient for them, I think they are now in the dwindling minority because everyone has seen the benefits that have arisen not just from viewing the sports and other events that are being held there, but also what impact it is having on our economy with all the events that are there.

It has been a fabulous decision. I will also say that I heard someone ask earlier, 'What was the member for Waite's view?' I remember travelling down, when he was on the Public Works Committee, and I was up-front with him. I said, 'Martin, this is a magnificent stadium,' and he said, 'It is.' I said, 'Look, I don't want to blow wind up you, but the simple fact is that this stadium has as much to do with your position at that particular time.'

I said, 'I disagreed with the idea that you wanted a second oval because I don't think we had the population to carry that off and, besides, that location was a much better site for the hospital that we are building anyway.' I am sure he will not mind me saying this. He said, 'I'm glad you said that, Paul. I'm glad you said that I was part of this Oval.' And he was, because it made us think, as a party, about what we could do at Adelaide Oval. I seek leave to continue my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.

Sitting suspended from 12:59 to 14:00.