House of Assembly Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1) 54 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Future Frigate Program Future Frigate Program Mr CREGAN House of Assembly Kavel Future Frigate Program Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (14:30): My question is to the Premier. Will the Premier update the house on how the Future Frigate Program will impact economic activity and job creation in South Australia? The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly Dunstan Premier Future Frigate Program The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:30): It is with great pleasure that I would like to answer this important question from the hardworking member for Kavel, who I spent some time with on the weekend. What a great job he is doing in that very important electorate and, I am sure, for the people of South Australia. The very good news is that on Friday last week the Prime Minister came to Adelaide, and he had very good news not only for Adelaide, not only for South Australia, but for the entire country, quite frankly. The federal government has made another decision—this time, to commission another nine frigates for the— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left! The Premier has the call. The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: They hate good news. They hate anything— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —that will benefit the people of South Australia. It's almost impossible to believe that they hate the people of South Australia so much that they don't want to hear the good news that the Prime Minister came to South Australia to announce—that nine frigates will be built by BAE at the ASC right here in South Australia. What I am most concerned about is the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. She seemed aghast at this good news—it's in her electorate! It's in her electorate and what a disgraceful performance she is putting on, with her nasty face, thumping the table. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: She doesn't want to hear any good news for the people of Port Adelaide. Well, I can tell you this: I am proud of the people of Port Adelaide. In fact, I'm a Port Adelaide supporter, like many other people that surround me. Let me tell you, Port Adelaide is a very proud part of our state, but it has been let down for the previous 16 years by the hopeless, dysfunctional Labor government that came before. But let me tell you— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —about the combination of the Coalition's decision for a continuous shipbuilding program in Australia. They have already commissioned 54 separate naval vessels, both surface ships and submarines, for the Royal Australian Navy since they came to power. I know those opposite hate it because what it does is continually remind them that, when the previous Labor government were in power for six years—you remember that: Rudd, Gillard, Rudd—they didn't commission a single, solitary ship. Where was the member for Port Adelaide? Where was the member for Port Adelaide, condemning the federal government? Not a word, not a word from those opposite—because they don't care. By contrast, the Coalition has put in a continuous naval shipbuilding program, and this will be transformational for our entire state: $35 billion coming to South Australia, 1,500 direct jobs at the ASC and another 2,500 jobs in the supply chain. Our goal on this side of the house is not to talk down a $35 billion contract coming to South Australia, but to see how we can tap in, see how we can maximise the benefit to this state, see how we can generate and keep the most jobs here in South Australia, and that's exactly and precisely what we are doing. I said to the people of South Australia on Friday that I could not wipe the smile off my face. When the Prime Minister came here, announcing a $35 billion project—I was smiling then, and I'm still smiling now. I am very much smiling because this is good news for our state. I wish those opposite would get on board because there are good times coming for South Australia—lots more jobs under a good quality partnership between the federal Coalition Liberal government and those on this side of the house. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: I call to order the Deputy Premier. Mr PICTON House of Assembly Mr PICTON: Point of order: during that answer the Premier referred to a female member of parliament as having 'a nasty face'. I would ask him to reflect on that and withdraw that comment. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: That is a bogus point of order. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order, members on my right! Member for Kaurna, the point of order must be raised at the time. I was listening. If any member did take offence at that time, then that was the appropriate time to raise it. I do ask members to take a serious look at themselves before answering further questions because I think we are on the edge today with a couple of our remarks. I say to the Premier: I note that Norwood had their first win at Alberton since 2013 on the weekend. Ms COOK House of Assembly Ms COOK: Point of order: the member for Chaffey again has referred to people as 'Muppets'. I ask that he withdraw. It's been ruled as unparliamentary previously and I ask that it be ruled again. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: There has been a point of order raised about a term used. Would the minister, if the remark was made—I did not hear it—like to withdraw and apologise? The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE House of Assembly The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: Sir, I would like to know who I was referring to as a Muppet. Ms COOK House of Assembly Ms COOK: I'm happy to, sir. He called— The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Can we please get on with it. Ms COOK House of Assembly Ms COOK: —all members over here Muppets. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Member for Hurtle Vale, if the comment is heard please do point it out at the time it is heard. I did not hear the comment, but I will be listening carefully. My previous remarks do stand. The Leader of the Opposition.