International Astronautical Congress

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (14:49): Supplementary, Mr President: during the extensive discussions that were had about this new industry the minister is now aware of, was he able to raise the possibility of having the International Astronautical Congress brought to Adelaide again, like the Labor Party was able to do in 2017?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:49): I thank the honourable member for his question. He said I only became aware of it, but I think that's a bit of an insult; we have all been aware of this great industry. Certainly when there is an opportunity to bring these conferences to Adelaide we will, and that's what—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Can members to my left allow the minister to answer how he chooses.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Well, I'll just sit down. Obviously—

The PRESIDENT: The President doesn't need a running commentary on the minister. Be seated and in your position. I'm going to the Hon. Mr Wortley next; you are going to have to wait your turn.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Most of the people I spoke to had actually been to Adelaide as part of the astronautical conference that was here.

An honourable member: So they already knew we existed.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: But with the change in government—

The PRESIDENT: Minister, don't engage in debate.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: The thing we didn't have back then is that we actually have a space agency. We have a federal government and a state government working collaboratively together—

The Hon. J.E. Hanson: We did have a space agency; we had the South Australian space agency.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Well, we had a lot of space cadets in government in the space agency last time.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Point of order, sir: as you know, that is actually an improper representation of other members of this council and is not showing due respect. I ask the member to withdraw.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Ridgway, please be careful with—

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: I am sorry, Mr President. I am excited by this sector, but I do withdraw that if I have offended any of the members opposite and referred to them as space cadets. Clearly, it is an opportunity that has come about because the federal government and the state government have worked together with the Space Agency, with mission control, and now the SmartSat CRC. That is what has changed since members opposite were in government: we have two governments, state and federal, working together for the benefit of our great state.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: No. I want to hear from the Hon. Mr Wortley. You have been giving me running commentary in my left ear; you ask your supplementary.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: I am surprised that you would need assistance from the Leader of the Opposition.