Brompton Gasworks Site

Mr TELFER (Flinders) (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Planning. Did Renewal SA seek advice on bidder compensation that our state may be exposed to in the event that the project was cancelled?

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION (Taylor—Minister for Trade and Investment, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Planning) (14:46): You would expect me, if we have sought legal advice, to keep that confidential. I think that's wise to protect the interests of the state. As my ministerial statement reflected, there's absolutely no doubt that the former Treasurer of this state set out to bind not just the hands of any future Labor administration but the hands of a future Liberal one as well.

Three weeks before caretaker, a major decision being made, one that was very controversial in the public, one that was very, very controversial in the public's eye. A great deal of talking, including by those opposite supporters. As I said before, there's a leaked Liberal Party report, which goes into some detail about how perplexing they found the decision on the Brompton Gasworks site and the decision to snub the Crows in such a public fashion.

The Crows' bid was not some small bid; it was a major bid of sporting infrastructure for this state. It should have been given greater consideration, in my mind. But all of those opportunities were forgone when the previous government announced a preferred proponent. The former Treasurer alluded to the fact that there might be legal implications for the state.

Those opposite now seem to believe that going from providing no information about this process, that we should be utterly transparent and release everything despite the risks to the state. It's completely unbelievable that they have gone from saying, 'Well, any talk of anything jeopardises the investor and business relationship' to 'release it all in a reckless fashion.'

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Morialta is called to order.