Adelaide 500

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:29): My question is to the Minister for Tourism. Can the minister advise whether the government has made any payments to Zara and Mike Tindall and, if so, how much? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Royal family members Zara and Mike Tindall were in attendance at the Adelaide 500 and the state dinner, but the government has never revealed at what cost to taxpayers, despite $6.5 million worth of news coverage criticising the government for its refusal to reveal this figure.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (15:30): I thank the shadow minister for his question. As the minister that is responsible for the Adelaide 500, I am more than happy to answer the shadow minister's question. I note that there is a bit of a theme that has emerged from the opposition, and that is that they seem to be opposed to South Australia getting out there on the front foot, getting major events for our state and selling our story to the rest of the country.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Cowdrey interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Colton!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: The Leader of the Opposition opposed Gather Round—he opposed Gather Round. He opposed LIV Golf. We know they scrapped the Adelaide 500, and what they have consistently sought to do—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Treasurer is called to order.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hartley! The exchange between the member for Hartley and the Treasurer will cease. The member for Morialta on a point of order under 134.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Standing order 98: the question was directly related to payments to the Tindalls. The Premier is debating on a much broader range of issues.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Florey is on a final warning, with three minutes remaining.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: There are interjections continuing from my left and my right. I am seeking to dispose of the point of order.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Some latitude is provided to the Premier and the leader because they are the Premier and the leader and to ensure that some context might be introduced as well. I, however, will remind the Premier of the standing orders.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: There is a consistent theme here that those in the opposition seem to have a point of disagreement with the government, which has been assertive, and will remain assertive, about getting out there and telling our story across the country. Major events are a powerful means to be able to do that. Another good example, of course, is the FIFA World Cup. This is an extraordinary event to celebrate women's football globally that is coming up in only a few weeks' time, and it is happening here in South Australia. It is happening here in South Australia because those opposite had to be shamed into making a bid for the Women's World Cup. We are very excited to be able to host those events.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: I had a meeting with senior officials—

Mr Telfer interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Flinders!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —from the Women's World Cup—

Mr Tarzia interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Hartley!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —from FIFA, only a few weeks ago, with the Minister for Sport.

Mr Telfer interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Flinders is warned.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: So we will continue to put our best foot forward to promote the state. That, of course, means investing in those events and elevating those events, using practices that have been adopted by the former government since time immemorial. Having celebrities attend major events is not a new tactic; it's been one that has deployed by our would-be competitors from Victoria and New South Wales.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: It is a tactic that has was deployed by the Liberal Party when they were in government. But be under no misapprehension—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier has the call.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —this government, under the stewardship of the Minister for Tourism, and everybody else on this side of the house, will continue to use major events to promote everything our state has to tell the rest of the nation.