LOXTON COMMUNITY HOTEL

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (14:41): Minister, as the intent of the scheme is to stimulate the Riverland region, is there a requirement for local building or can they apply anywhere for their builders?

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) (14:41): I thank the honourable member for his important question. Indeed, in our examination of project proposals, the number of jobs that a project generates and these sorts of economic activity such as employment prospects, subcontracting and the like are also considered at that time. Obviously, we do not put a stipulation in the criteria that all the work must be done by locals. That is not realistic; it would be reasonable to expect that some work would need to be brought in. However, project managers are encouraged to employ locals wherever they can and employ local tradespeople wherever they can and utilise local products as well. They are all matters that we encourage very much when we are considering the project proposals.