Regional Growth Fund

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee) (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries. Can the minister advise the house how many of the 30 unsuccessful projects submitted to round 2 of the Regional Growth Fund satisfied the fund's criteria higher than the two uncompetitive grant applications that were approved by the former minister?

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM (Finniss—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (14:45): I thank the member for the question.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will resume his seat. The Deputy Premier is called to order. The Premier will cease interjecting. Interjections on my left and on my right, I have made reference earlier this week—

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Lee! I have made reference earlier this sitting week to the particularly objectionable form of interjection across the chamber that is between one member and another. Those, among all interjections, will cease. The Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development is entitled to be heard in silence. The minister has the call.

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM: Thank you, Mr Speaker. As I was about to say, the Regional Growth Fund, the $160 million over 10 years that the Marshall Liberal government has committed to regions, is such an important part of support for our regional economy as well as the South Australian economy. As stated in my previous answer in relation to Thomas Foods, it is very important that we invest in those regions, that we invest in these projects and that we do what we can to support our regions.

There are many applicants who come forward for these opportunities and it is very important that we understand that they are going to deliver us jobs and they are going to deliver us opportunities to see further investment into our communities in those regions. It is all about the regions and making sure those regions are supported going forward.

As we look at those assessments as they come in, there is very much an opportunity for those to be assessed against the criteria to make sure that they have submitted what's required of them. It goes through a panel process to make sure that they are able to meet the criteria needed to fund these projects. I am very confident that we are actually getting the money on the ground, unlike the former Labor government where they had over $12 million worth of investments that were never delivered. They made the commitment—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM: They didn't see them delivered. The money was never spent.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM: It's extremely disappointing for the regions just to make public announcements that, 'We are going to fund something,' and it never happens. We are about getting the money on the ground, making sure that development actually happens.