Hopgood Theatre

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (15:04): My question is to the Premier. Premier, what analysis has been done by the government on the social and economic benefits of the Hopgood Theatre?

The Hon. D.G. PISONI (Unley—Minister for Industry and Skills) (15:05): It's like a broken record. The facts are that this—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: Any future for the Hopgood Theatre was supposed to be negotiated prior to the election. The facts are that we have extended—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: —the funding for the Hopgood Theatre because there was nothing put in place by this government. They kicked the can along.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: They kicked the can along for 12 months or more. Country Arts told me they were surprised and started to get concerned before the election because they hadn't had any interest from this government—this opposition, the Labor Party, the previous government—in looking at any extension or any new arrangement for funding. We are now left with a situation where we've got to fix Labor's mess, and we have found $110-odd thousand to fund the 2018-19 year. We are continuing with the peppercorn rent of $1.10 per year so that the theatre can remain on site. It is those opposite that have caused the embarrassment to the southern community, not the government.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Members will cease interjecting.