National Trust

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:43): Supplementary to the Minister for Environment and Water: what assistance will the minister give to the National Trust in the event of being removed from Ayers House?

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Minister for Environment and Water) (14:44): In my discussions with the National Trust, I have made it extremely clear that the government will provide some assistance to see them transition to—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: I have no need to go into the detail with the opposition, given their history with heritage.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left! The minister has the call.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: That is a negotiation between the government and the National Trust to understand their needs as they transition. They've got a new property at North Adelaide which provides them with extensive space. I don't necessarily believe they will need storage space. The vast majority of goods and chattels within Ayers House, of course, belong to the state and come alongside as part of what Ayers House is all about—they belong to the state and belong to Ayers House. We will work with the National Trust to aid that transition.

As I said, there have been no secrets in this process. For several years the government has made it very clear that there is a real opportunity to reinvigorate that building and create very clear connections between it on one side of the road and the Lot Fourteen project on the other side of the road. I think this could be a very exciting project as it unfolds and I am sure the National Trust will be delighted to see the state government investing in the future of that building.