Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (14:44): Further supplementary: just to refine the point, because I understand that the minister, when he was the leader and shadow minister, went over and did a deal. Firstly, can he provide the context of that deal that he did and, secondly, can he outline whether or not, going back to my original question, any aspects of that deal are in place to prevent the intellectual drain of postgraduates from South Australia going to MIT and us subsequently losing them? What protections has he put in place?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for his question. Can I deal with the deal first. The deal was that I went to MIT and I met with representatives in Washington. The deal was that they said, 'You're a good bloke; that sounds like a great place and we actually want to come.' It has not cost the taxpayers a cent. It's funded by BankSA and Optus, so it's a partnership.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: It is a valued relationship. The members opposite can't grasp that you can actually go to the other side of the world, meet somebody and develop a relationship and a friendship and that, at the end of the day, South Australia benefits from that great work.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Mr President, they are a joke and that's why they will remain a joke. Because the Living Lab is a global, number one university in the world, what we are going to see is students and graduates coming to Adelaide to immerse themselves in the data science and the data analytics that are all around MIT. This is a coup for Adelaide. I know Melbourne and Sydney had spent about a decade trying to lure MIT to their cities and to their universities. We were able to go there, as I said, and build a relationship, make some friends and showcase South Australia and Adelaide, and today they have come here. I think it will be a catalyst to bring more students, more activity, more smart people and more young people to South Australia.