Strathmont Pool

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (14:57): My question is to the Minister for Education.

The Hon. Z.L. Bettison: Except for the Overland. You cut it. Did regions matter then?

The SPEAKER: The member for Ramsay is called to order. I'm trying to listen to the member for Torrens.

Ms WORTLEY: My question is to the Minister for Education. Did the minister seek advice from his department on its capacity to fund the $300,000 upgrade to keep the Strathmont pool open?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (14:58): I'm not entirely sure that I accept the premise of the question and that level of detail about a $300,000 capacity to keep the pool open.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier and the deputy leader will cease interjecting.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: I don't know if the member for Torrens is suggesting that that $300,000 will keep it open for one year, or $300,000 to keep it open permanently. At any rate, that is not a matter under the responsibility of the education department. What I sought advice about, in relation to this matter, when this was previously a matter of conversation in this house—I think the member for Reynell might have asked questions in relation to this matter—was what the impact was going to be on South Australian schools. There are a number of schools that have a relationship with the swimming pool at the Strathmont Centre, as there are indeed schools around South Australia that have other relationships with other swimming pools.

Those schools have a service that is currently provided at a pool that is no longer going to be there as a result of it no longer being fit for purpose. The suggestion that I put to the department was that it is appropriate that we have oversight, that we have some line of sightover what services these schools may be using in the future. The advice at the time was that the department was engaged with those schools, to talk to them about their future plans, and that further advice would be provided to me in due course. I look forward to receiving that advice. In relation to the deputy leader's questions—

Dr Close interjecting:

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Sorry, I can't—

The SPEAKER: Minister, could you please not respond to interjections. Deputy leader, please.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: The deputy leader chastises herself for her interjections and I forgive her.

Mr Malinauskas: If you're looking for something to talk about, why don't you just answer the question you have been asked?

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition is not assisting and is called to order.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Again, sir, I am providing information to the house that is directly relevant to the question asked. The information at that time was provided. It was not finalised what the information would be for those schools and when it is, as I have indicated to the deputy leader and the house, I will provide further information to the house.