Members, Accommodation Allowances

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:32): My question is to the Premier. On how many occasions and on what dates did the Premier stay at Terry Stephens' holiday house in Victor Harbor?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:33): I thank the member for West Torrens for his question. I visit the regions on a very, very regular basis. Of course, with the coronavirus, it has been impossible for me to spend much time out of metropolitan Adelaide. In fact, some weeks during this coronavirus we have had six cabinet meetings in seven days, and I would like to thank my cabinet colleagues for this. But it has had the impact that I haven't spent as much time in the regions as possible.

I have been very pleased over the last four weeks to get out into our regions because, in South Australia, we know on this side of the house that #RegionsMatter. Of course, the regions have been doing it very, very tough for an extended period of time with dry and drought conditions, which have been soul destroying for so many of those who live in our regions, especially our primary producers. We are very grateful for their stoicism—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —during these very, very difficult weather conditions.

The SPEAKER: There is a point of order, Premier; one moment.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I have given the Premier a minute, sir. He is debating the question. The question was: on how many occasions did he visit Terry Stephens' house and on what dates was he there in Victor Harbor?

The SPEAKER: I have the point of order. I believe that place may be in a regional area. The Premier is listing information about regions. It's a fair point of order. I would ask the Premier to come back to the substance of the question.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Thank you, sir; I am building up and talking about what's important about getting out into the regions. And, yes, it is true: I have visited Victor Harbor on many occasions; in fact, I have been down there in the last few weeks actually. I was down there and out on Granite Island, which I thought was looking very, very good, although it was a little bit rainy at the time, but a very important, attractive part of our state, a very productive part of our state, and I visit on a very regular basis, like I do other parts of the state.

When I travel, often I visit local members or members of parliament who are residing in that area and also community leaders. It is not uncommon for me to go to a member of parliament or a member of the Legislative Council's house and, on occasion, I have stayed there. I have stayed with the member for Chaffey in his fine electorate. I have stayed with the member for Flinders in his fine electorate. I am just waiting for the rest of you to invite me over. It is always great to get out into our regions in South Australia. I am happy, proud, to confirm that I have visited Victor Harbor and I have stayed at the house of the Hon. Terry Stephens.