Tourism

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:29): My question is to the Premier. Apart from the Illuminate event announced in August this year, can the Premier please name one event that has been conducted in this series of new events that is supposed to replace the Supercars?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:30): I know he's anxious and excited about the opportunity of our new strategies.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my right!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: All will be revealed. What I will say at this stage is that we have had successful events already introduced since coming to government. I noticed that those opposite were talking them down, but we did refurbish Memorial Drive and we did have a very successful Adelaide International event, which was held—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —in January this year. This was a combination ATP and WTA event. We were delighted to have people coming from interstate and overseas into Adelaide. It was very successful, and we are looking forward to having future WTA and ATP events here in South Australia.

It is a very conducive place to having tennis events because Memorial Drive is right in the centre of the city. I know that a lot of the competitors were saying how wonderful it was to be able to stay in the city, walk across that bridge, walk across the Torrens, and go to the Adelaide Oval precinct and, more particularly, Memorial Drive. Those opposite were talking down the event. Those opposite were talking down the refurbishment of Memorial Drive.

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan: When?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: What we need to—

The SPEAKER: Member for Lee!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: I'll send you the clippings.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: But let's be serious, sir: we have only just announced our situation with regard to Supercars. We thought it was only fair to give as much warning as possible that we would not be holding an event in 2021 and we would not be renewing the contract going forward. We are seeking advice, input from people, about the types of events that can be held in a COVID-safe environment.

We know that these are going to be different next year from what they might be the year after and the year after, depending on how we progress with our response to the coronavirus and as to whether or not a vaccine is found. We feel very confident that we will be able to come up with a suite of new events that will maximise employment in South Australia and continue to bring people from interstate and, when it's safe, people from overseas.