Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee) (14:49): My question is actually a supplementary question. Did the minister think touring Texas in a $1,600-a-day limousine was more important than meeting regional mayors in South Australia?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order: that question was frivolous, contained argument and has breached 97.

The SPEAKER: I am going to allow the question in this instance, but I acknowledge it is on the edge. Minister, would you like to have a go?

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE (Chaffey—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (14:50): Thank you, sir, and, yes, I will give the information to the house in terms of that meeting that both my Chief of Staff and I had when we were in Dallas, Texas. We met with the Australian trade commissioner from Australia to Texas, the Hon. Peter McGauran. When we arrived—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: —we got to Dallas, we were picked up by the Hon. Peter McGauran as the trade commissioner to Australia. It was the SUV—

Mr Picton interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Kaurna is warned for a second and final time.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: —that he picked us up in. He picked us up at 8.30 that morning and dropped us off at 6.30 that night. It is the car that he regularly uses. He took us to meetings.

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Lee is warned for a second and final time.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: Obviously, the member for Lee—

The SPEAKER: Please do not respond to interjections, minister.

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE: —has no idea how trade negotiations work. This vehicle is a vehicle that the trade commissioner uses on a basis when he visits Dallas. It was under invitation that we travelled with the Hon. Peter McGauran. Austrade billed the state government for that car.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hurtle Vale is called to order and warned for a first time. The member for Reynell is warned for a second and final time. The member for Elder will be heard in absolute silence.