International Students

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:30): Further supplementary: does the minister think it is important to brand ourselves so that people can recognise the services and goods that we provide?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:30): Of course I see that as important. I know props are inappropriate, but I showed yesterday—

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Point of order, Mr President—

The PRESIDENT: Yes, don't use a prop—

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: —he did this yesterday—

The PRESIDENT: Yes, I know.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: He ought to know, and he's doing it again in complete defiance of what you asked him to do. I ask, Mr President, that you make a ruling against what he is doing in defiance of what you told him yesterday.

The PRESIDENT: I am well aware that he cannot use a prop. The Hon. Mr Ridgway, please don't use a prop.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: I am sorry, Mr President.

The PRESIDENT: I accept your apology.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: I don't recall offending you yesterday, but I apologise. But we do brand the state. Members opposite have been asking a range of questions around Brand SA.

The Hon. K.J. Maher interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: I can't—

The PRESIDENT: He doesn't scream over me and, secondly, you are talking to me and the minister is trying to respond to a question you asked. So either you are not interested in the answer to what you are screaming or you are more interested in talking to me.

The Hon. K.J. Maher: I'm not interested in what I'm screaming? What?

The PRESIDENT: You are talking to me and over-talking the minister—

The Hon. K.J. Maher: I'm not interested in what—

The PRESIDENT: —while the minister is trying to—

The Hon. K.J. Maher: —I'm screaming—

The PRESIDENT: Let me finish! This is not a conversation—while the minister is trying to answer your own question. Show the minister a courtesy: ask him the question and then try to listen to him.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Thank you for your protection, sir. I think my recollection of the supplementary is: do we see it as important to brand ourselves? We do. In fact, we will continue to brand ourselves. We have said that, while the organisation of Brand SA, which I know the honourable member has some interest in, is no longer being funded, we actually are happy to promote South Australia. The logo and the brand itself stays. We made it very clear that that will be staying.

As I explained to the Hon. Mark Parnell yesterday—I don't think it would be appropriate for me to drift off into a discussion around the future of Brand SA but, nonetheless, in response to the honourable member's question—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Sit down, minister. The Hon. Mr Darley.