Adelaide Easter Classic Basketball Tournament

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta) (15:10): My question is to the Premier. Will the government support the Adelaide Easter Classic Basketball Tournament? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: The opposition has been advised that the government has been approached by the Adelaide Community Basketball Association seeking support for the Adelaide Easter Classic. Having grown over the years, the tournament has now expanded to bring in more than 10,000 visitors to our state, with 600 teams registered this year. They are seeking a modest but important funding contribution to bring in several dozen extra officials from interstate because, as a result of the unanticipated growth, they now have to officiate 1,600 games over the weekend, more than can be achieved with available South Australian local referees.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (15:11): The short answer is I am more than happy to look at the request. I have to say, I don't recall it off the top of my head. I am not suggesting for a moment that it hasn't been submitted to the government, but I am more than happy to pursue it. I would also acknowledge that community sport plays an important role. I am a bit confused sometimes. The opposition criticise us when we invest in community sport, saying, 'All they care about is sport.'

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: I do take it seriously and it will be looked into. I think we have got a record of demonstrating our commitment to community sport. It exceeds—

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner: Well, these guys have been waiting two months.

The SPEAKER: The member for Morialta, you have asked your question. Listen to the answer.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: It is a commitment to community sport that I think is well understood. We are investing in infrastructure. We are investing in people. We are investing in school sports voucher programs. The Assistant Minister for Junior Sport Participation has been enthusiastically not just advocating but delivering for people who are concerned about this community.

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner: This would cost you 30 grand. You could fix it this afternoon.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: And maybe I will. Maybe I will, and maybe that will be a rare instance of bipartisan support for investment in community sport. Notwithstanding the opposition's consistent criticism of the government for investing in community sport, rest assured we are going to keep doing it. We are going to keep doing it because we want kids off phones. I am not too fussed if they are playing instruments or in community arts programs like the one that was announced by the Minister for Arts yesterday with our comprehensive cultural policy, or whether it was other announcements as part of it.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: Carclew is an outstanding organisation, which I know the member for Morialta has some understanding about. Or whether it be netball, footy, soccer—I am really agnostic about it. We are committed to it. Let me tell you, basketball is growing as well, like so many other community sports. It is an outstanding example of how well-run grassroots sport is getting more kids involved. I suspect it will be even more so after the amazing effort from Josh Giddey from the Chicago Bulls. If your Facebook feed wasn't getting Josh Giddey's performance in the Lakers versus the Bulls game on the weekend then you should probably google it.

The Hon. C.J. Picton: I thought you were going to talk about the Minister for Education.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: That's right, the Minister for Education is the next best thing. Josh Giddey's effort was the best thing since the Minister for Education doing that amazing shot. Let me chase it up and maybe this is not an example of something we can resolve quickly.