Adelaide Oval Price Increases

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:50): Supplementary: will the minister himself make any representations about the price increases and the huge cost of buying food and beverages at Adelaide Oval?

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: What was the price rise?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: A full-strength beer is now $9.50. Does the minister think that's realistic, and does he think former minister Martin Hamilton-Smith would stand for this sort of thing?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:51): I might be a little unusual, but I usually go to the footy to watch the footy, not drink beer. I know the member opposite—obviously he does the opposite and goes and spends his time—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Mr President, it is what we see. Unfortunately, the price of all of these commodities always goes up. It is always disturbing. There is a limited amount of money to go around in the economy—I know that. It's tough for families, as I said earlier, but at the end of the day, Adelaide Oval has made a decision. It's not something that the Minister for Tourism has control over, to be able to go and say, 'Hang on, Stadium Management Authority, that's too expensive; cut the price by a dollar.' They are entitled to put up the price.

It is a concern that if the price is too high, people may not go. But, in most cases they don't just go to have a drink, or a hamburger or hot dog; they go to watch what's on. I think that's what we see. We have the football—we have the Crows. Hopefully when they play my team, Carlton—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Have you finished?