Government-Funded Television Programs

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (16:08): My question is to the Treasurer.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Go on, the Hon. Mr Pangallo.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: No brief explanation, Mr President.

The Hon. K.J. Maher: You do have to ask the question.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: I do, yes. Can the Treasurer explain why he and his government have slashed funding to the locally-produced and successful television show on Channel 9 Building Ideas, 20 years jointly funded by the Master Builders Association, and successive governments, which promotes thousands of small businesses in South Australia, coming at a time when the building industry is struggling, and is the government also cutting its financial support to other magazine TV programs?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (16:09): Mr President, I have no knowledge of the government's support, or otherwise, for that particular TV program, or indeed magazine TV programs. I shall seek advice from whichever of my many capable ministerial colleagues has ministerial responsibility for this particular area of providing support (if any) to television magazine-type programs like the member has referred to. When I find him or her, I shall get an answer and bring it back to the honourable member.