Tourism

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright) (14:59): My question is to the Minister for Tourism. Minister, can you provide an update on hotel occupancy rates in Adelaide for December?

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Recreation and Sport, Minister for Racing) (14:59): I thank the member for Wright for that question and for all the questions she has asked in this place, and for the great service that she has done in her electorate and the house as well.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Of course, the opposition yell and scream because they hate good news, and isn't the tourism sector an amazingly successful part of our economy? The visitor economy is now worth $6.3 billion a year. Four years ago it was worth—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Newland is called to order. There are several people interjecting on the minister.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Can I get some time on the clock please, Mr Speaker?

The SPEAKER: Yes, you may.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Thank you. Take it back to the full four minutes.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Schubert is called to order. The member for Chaffey is now on a full set of warnings.

Mr Knoll: You can't get the extension after 18 March.

The SPEAKER: The member for Schubert is warned. It is your question time. Minister.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Thank you again, Mr Speaker. This government has put an extra $70 million into the visitor economy in South Australia in the past two or three budgets and it is money very well spent. It comes on the back of the $535 million that we spent on the upgrade of the Adelaide Oval, which has been a resounding success.

On Saturday, we are going to have 50,000-plus there for the first ever day-night Ashes Test match. It is going to be terrific to have the eyes of the cricket world on Adelaide for that match—the first pink ball match. The match should go at least three days and we are expecting a crowd of 150,000 people, many coming from interstate and overseas and filling every hotel room across South Australia. This one match is expected to inject about $30 million into the South Australian economy.

On Sunday, we have the Pacific School Games held in Adelaide. They start on Sunday and go through until 9 December. There will be 10,000 participants and their family members from every state and territory and from Pacific countries coming here. It is going to be a great mass participation event. It will be the 38^th event that this government has secured since bringing in a major events bid fund. That has been a great thing from this government. I would like to thank the Premier and the Treasurer for the great support that they have given the visitor economy in South Australia.

I would also like to thank the hotel general managers around South Australia who have done a tremendous job, and the AHA, in particular Ian Horne, who is a very good leader of the Australian Hotels Association. We have seen an extra 2,000 hotel rooms come online in Adelaide and even that will barely be enough for the Ashes Test match and for the Pacific School Games. We have people staying in the Barossa, in the Adelaide Hills, at McLaren Vale and further afield, which is great if you are in the tourism business.

I mention one operator, Ben Neville, who has a company called Off Piste Tours in McLaren Vale—a great operator. He has come up with a wine, wickets and wildlife tour. He will come up to town, pick up tourists from their accommodation, take them out and show them the wonderful beaches, wildlife and wineries of McLaren Vale and then drop them to the cricket. Ben has just bought a new vehicle. He has been in business five years. Every year he has seen a 30 per cent growth in his business. These are the great champions we have here in South Australia who do such a good job in running their businesses, but more importantly, showing people from right around the world our wonderful state and all the fantastic produce that we have here.