Legislative Council Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2) 53 2 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Regional Development Fund Regional Development Fund The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY Legislative Council Leader of the Opposition Regional Development Fund The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:26): I have a supplementary question. Why is the minister for jobs and employment not consulted when grants are made when the aim of the program is to create new jobs and improve career opportunities? What sort of Mickey Mouse government are you in? The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers Regional Development Fund The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:26): The strategic objective of creating new jobs is a priority shared right across government in all levels of activity. Every single minister strives within their portfolio to maximise opportunities, to create investment here in this state, to help drive and grow businesses and to grow jobs, and I have to say that minister Brock does an extremely good job with this with his Regional Development Fund. I recall when I was minister for regional development that I was responsible for that fund back then. As I have said, I was familiar with the rigorous process undertaken by a panel of officers within that particular department and who undertake all of the due diligence needed and assess the applications for their ability to grow jobs. The responsibility for growing jobs in this state is the responsibility of every single minister, and should be of every member as well, and it is a major priority and it underpins all the work we do.