Economic and Business Growth Fund

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (14:35): So what criteria will the government be using to determine whether to look sector-wide or to individually pick winners for individual companies, as they've done in this case?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:35): The honourable member obviously hasn't been in government. I made the comment that it will be a sector-wide approach, but the government always will reserve its right, from a cabinet point of view—the cabinet determines that—to support a company. Clearly members opposite were, if you like, in control when Mitsubishi left and when Holden left, and obviously they are a bit annoyed that Mitsubishi have decided to stay in South Australia. They were happy to see them go.

We have made a decision to invest $2 million. We think it's a wise investment. Mitsubishi are committed to a long-term future in Australia, and, as I said on Tuesday, it's not only automotive manufacturing. Obviously their automotive headquarters are here, but they are a massive global company. It's great to have their commitment to stay in South Australia. That will be a cabinet decision, and I'm not going to divulge the discussions that happen in cabinet.