Regional Growth Fund

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee) (15:06): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries. Can the minister advise the house why these two projects were approved after they were assessed as being uncompetitive?

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM (Finniss—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (15:06): I thank the member for Lee for his question. The two projects that were chosen not to be funded—the reason they were chosen not to be funded was based very much around that one had already received funds under a previous government scheme and one, in the opinion of the previous minister, did not deliver the economic outcomes or jobs set out in the guidelines.

That led to the opportunity to bring other projects forward, and there are some great projects that were funded under these schemes. One that certainly comes to mind is the Chalk Hill winery, a great facility that is now there for many to enjoy at McLaren Vale. We have—

The SPEAKER: The minister will resume his seat. The member for Lee on a point of order.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: I rise on a point of order under standing order 98: debate. I specifically asked about the—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Members on my right will cease interjecting. The member for Schubert will leave for 20 minutes in accordance with standing order 137A.

The honourable member for Schubert having withdrawn from the chamber:

The SPEAKER: Interjections on my left and on my right will cease. The member for Lee on a point of order.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: My point of order is under standing order 98 and that is of debate. My question was very specific about why these projects were approved after they were assessed as being uncompetitive. The minister is choosing to answer a question about why other projects were not approved.

The SPEAKER: The raising of a point of order is not an occasion for the making of an impromptu speech. There is no point of order. I heard the question to include a request of the minister to explain why two projects were not funded—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: —or were or were not funded. In the circumstances, there is scope for the minister to provide some context in relation to projects. I'm listening very carefully to the minister's answer. The minister has the call.

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM: As I was saying, it was very clear that there were two projects recognised by the previous minister that weren't suitable to be funded. That meant there was an opportunity for other projects to be funded. As I said, there are some projects out there that are fantastic, that have been great projects for our regional communities.

Karoonda is another great example of the investment in the electorate of Hammond, where we have a facility where we are looking to see whether we can get regional businesses to set up in a hub working with the Karoonda council. There are great opportunities there in the regions to see these funds used in very useful ways for their community—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM: —to support that community—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Lee!

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM: —and see growth in jobs and growth in our regional sector, delivering for South Australia.

The SPEAKER: Before I call the member for Mount Gambier, I warn for a second time the member for Chaffey. Interjections on my right and on my left will cease and I draw members' attention in particular to those particularly objectionable interjections as between individual members across the floor. They will cease.