ADELAIDE CONVENTION BUREAU

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:31): I have a supplementary question. Given the $200,000 cut to the Convention Bureau and the minister's commentary about cutting the state's cloth at a tough time, how can she justify $200,000 to fund former premier Rann in his retirement?

The PRESIDENT: What's that got to do with the original answer? Nothing whatsoever.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Mr President, it's a—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: No, nothing to do with it. I didn't hear her mention anything about that.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Point of order, Mr President. The minister spoke—

The PRESIDENT: What is the point of order?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: —about the economic management of this state and being sensible and responsible, and I am asking the question: how does providing $200,000 to former premier Rann in his retirement stack up as sensible and responsible economic management?

The PRESIDENT: The minister does not have to answer that.

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) (14:32): Thank you, Mr President. Given that I was asked a further question about our economic management, I would like to address the issue of economic management around our tourism activities, which is relevant to the question.

I would like to remind people that South Australia attracted 4.95 million domestic overnight visitors, which was an increase of 8 per cent from the year ended December 2010. I am advised that this is the highest year-on-year growth in visitor numbers for 11 years, the second highest growth of all states and territories and twice the national average growth of 4 per cent. How are those for figures, Mr President?

The PRESIDENT: Excellent.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: As I said, this is a real success story and a real achievement. In terms of our market share, I will go on. I haven't finished yet.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister has more good news.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I have got more good news, Mr President, indeed, in terms of the fabulous economic success around our tourism. Our market share for the year—that is, the proportion of Australian domestic visits that occur in South Australia—rose from 6.8 per cent to 7.1 per cent, driven by strong growth from both intra and interstate visitation. SA recorded growth in all 'purposes of visit', and 'business' was up by 14.8 per cent.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I haven't finished, Mr President.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I have more good news.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The two whips should come to order. The honourable minister has further good news.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I do have further good news. Not only were our business visitors up 14.8 per cent, 'visiting friends and relatives' was up 8.7 per cent, and 'holiday' was up 3.3 per cent—higher than the national results. SA's growth in domestic visitor nights topped the nation, with a growth of 9.9 per cent. Nationally, growth was 1.4 per cent—9.9 per cent.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: Our tourism operators are screaming, so go out and talk to the operators.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: They are screaming with delight. Our operators are screaming with delight with these incredible figures. This equated to 18.67 million domestic visitor nights spent in SA for the year. In the 12 months ended December 2011, SA's share of domestic visitor nights in Australia was 7.1 per cent, up from 6.5 per cent the previous year. There is more good news for day trips. There were 10.9 million day trips in South Australia in 2011, an increase of 7.4 per cent. Nationally, day trips increased by 3.4 per cent, again, way above national averages—right up there.

Finally, the last little bit of good news: when we include international expenditure, South Australia's total tourism expenditure for the year ending 2011 was $4.731 billion, an increase of 6.8 per cent from 2010, and nationally there was only a 3.1 per cent increase for tourism expenditure—again, right up there. I could go on, but I will leave it there for the time being.