Algal Bloom

Mr BASHAM (Finniss) (14:36): My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Why was a letter to the Treasurer regarding extenuating circumstances around criteria eligibility for an algal bloom-affected business referred to the Office of the Minister for Small Business? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr BASHAM: On 31 July, I wrote to the Treasurer with a request for consideration regarding specific circumstances for Kombi Surf and the Horse Drawn Tram experience, because the grant guidelines say, 'Eligibility under exceptional circumstances will be considered by the Treasurer.'

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Treasurer, Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Minister for Police) (14:37): I am happy to take it on notice and bring back an answer for the member but, as we have done with the support packages, whether it is for the River Murray floods, for the drought or now for the algal bloom, when we have made those funds available and established the criteria, as the member's question alluded to, there remains a discretion that can be exercised, and it is usually exercised by me as Treasurer. So I will have a look at the circumstances and get to the bottom of what has happened in that particular case.