TOURISM COMMISSION

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:24): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Tourism a question about legal costs.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: The opposition has information that the South Australian Tourism Commission and, therefore, the taxpayers of South Australia, are liable for legal costs in the order of $290,000 associated with the ill-fated move of the visitor information centre from the ground floor King William Street location to a Grenfell Street basement. My question is: can the minister assure the taxpayers of South Australia that their liability will be no more than this?

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) (14:25): Again, I find it absolutely disgraceful that the opposition comes into this place and continues to negatively bag and damage a very important brand of this state. I do not have the details of legal fees incurred by the SATC, which is an independent statutory authority. It manages itself independently of government. It seeks to obtain advice or consultation with various stakeholders and makes its decisions independently of government.