SOUTH AUSTRALIAN TRAVEL CENTRE

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:00): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Tourism questions regarding the South Australian Travel Centre.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: Mr Bob Foord, former chairman of the South Australian Tourism Commission, was previously the Director of Proud Australia Holidays. I understand that Mr Foord's son-in-law, Mr Ben Mead, purchased Proud Australia Holidays from the Foord family and renamed the company as Holidays of Australia. I understand the Proud Australia offices were situated at 18 Grenfell Street, Adelaide. As recently reported, the South Australian Tourism Commission awarded the tender to run the South Australian Travel Centre to Holidays of Australia. I understand the South Australian Travel Centre was then relocated from King William Street to Grenfell Street. My questions to the minister are:

1. Was Holidays of Australia already occupying the basement accommodation at 18 Grenfell Street, which the South Australian Travel Centre was subsequently relocated to?

2. Was an allowance for a fit-out for the South Australian Travel Centre required and, if so, was this included in the rental charge to Holidays of Australia?

3. During rental negotiations, did the government seek advice from the Valuer-General with regard to the rental to be paid and whether it was in line with current market rentals in the area? If not, why not?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (15:01): I thank the honourable member for his questions. Last year the South Australian Tourism Commission made a decision to outsource the visitor centre. It went through a tendering process and Holidays of Australia won that tender, and the arrangement was to locate the centre in with Holidays of Australia services and to operate from there.

I do not believe that they were already occupying the building at the time or, if they were, it would not have been for very long, but I can check those details and I am happy to bring that back. In terms of the details of exactly what the extent of the fit-out was, I would have to take that on notice and bring that detail back, as well. I certainly know there were issues around disability access—a fit-out for a disability access that was part of the agreement—but, beyond that, I would have to check. As I said, I am happy to take those questions on notice and bring back a response.