Whyalla Steelworks

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Leader of the Opposition) (14:13): Supplementary: will the Premier amend the terms of that fund, given the precarious state of the Whyalla Steelworks, in terms of more flexibility for that fund to be applied?

The SPEAKER: I will mark that down as a new question.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:14): I understand from the Leader of the Opposition's remarks, made publicly yesterday, that the Leader of the Opposition met with Mr Gupta on Sunday, as did I. I met Mr Gupta on Sunday morning as well. I think it is fair to say that Mr Gupta is an advocate of the terms of the fund being amended to suit his purposes. The Leader of the Opposition might have had one meeting and caved, and that's fine. The Leader of the Opposition has one meeting with Mr Gupta and now starts advocating on behalf of Mr Gupta; he is entitled to that position. If the Leader of the Opposition sees it fit to do Mr Gupta's bidding, that is his prerogative. On this side of the house it would be far more deliberate and far more considered to make sure that any expenditure of taxpayers' funds is in the long-term interest of a critical economic asset for the nation and the people of Whyalla.

The SPEAKER: Before I call the leader, I ask members on my left to listen to the Premier in silence and stop with the interjections. This is a very important matter for the state and it doesn't matter which electorate we come from we want to hear good answers and be able to listen to the answers as well.