Sony Interactive Entertainment

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (15:02): Further supplementary arising from the original answer in relation to Sony Interactive: can the minister outline the role that he played in securing this investment in South Australia?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (15:02): I know the members opposite were in awe of the fact that I had gone and met with MIT and managed to get MIT to identify South Australia.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Members opposite don't understand the concept of building relationships. They don't have any relationships or networks or friends—in fact, they don't have much at all. With Sony Interactive Entertainment, that is what the hardworking Department for Trade, Tourism, and Investment have done. We have a team of hardworking people, who the members opposite continue to mock and ridicule, who are actually working particularly hard. They identified opportunities. One of the of opportunities they identified was Sony Interactive Entertainment.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: It was a whole-of-department approach. At the end of the day, Sony Interactive Entertainment is a global giant—these are network engineer jobs that do not exist in Australia; this is one of three offices of its type around the world—and I cannot believe the members opposite are mocking and ridiculing the fact that Sony Interactive Entertainment is here. They should be embarrassed.