Micro Finance Fund

The Hon. A.L. McLACHLAN (14:46): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation a question regarding the South Australian Micro Finance Fund.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A.L. McLACHLAN: In a written response to one of my questions the minister advised that the Department of State Development does not publicly name the external industry experts to protect their independence and prevent any lobbying or undue influence by applicants. The minister also advised the chamber yesterday that he was not aware of who these secret advisers were. Can the minister advise the chamber who in the Department of State Development knows of the identity of these secret advisers, and as they are volunteers are they subject to the jurisdiction of ICAC, given that the department itself is deeply concerned to protect their independence and prevent any lobbying?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:47): I thank the honourable member for his further hard-hitting and exploratory questions. He certainly keeps me very honest with his deep and abiding interest in the South Australian Micro Finance Fund.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: It's a very easy task keeping me honest. In terms of the South Australian Micro Finance Fund, I can inform the honourable member that some of the regular members of the assessment panel include Dr Andrew Dunbar of the Office of Science, Technology and Research, Mr Geoff Thomas, Principal, Axant Corporate Advisory and Andrew Rasch, Senior Policy Officer, Entrepreneurship and Digital Technologies, Department of State Development. I am sure that the pool of people they can call on for external advice is well known to them.