SOUTH AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY CLUB

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (16:54): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Correctional Services, representing the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, questions about the ongoing investigation into the South Australian Jockey Club.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: It was recently announced that the inquiry into the activities at the South Australian Jockey Club, which was conducted by the legal firm Lipman Karas, is close to being completed. Those involved in the South Australian racing industry have been patient and are keen to know the results of the inquiry. The Thoroughbred Racing SA Board was evidently briefed recently by Lipman Karas about the progress of the inquiry.

The industry has received support recently by way of taxation reform and also protections by way of legislation, which was supported in a bipartisan fashion in this chamber. Given the amount of support given by the taxpayers of South Australia, my questions are:

1. Has the minister been briefed by Mr Philip Bentley, the chair of Thoroughbred Racing South Australia, about how the inquiry is progressing?

2. Does the minister agree with the opposition that this report must be made public to remove the cloud hanging over the industry in South Australia?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Gambling, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (16:55): I thank the honourable member for his questions in relation to the investigations into the SAJC. I will undertake to refer his questions to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing in another place and bring back a response.