Question Time

Luxe Haus

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:20): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment regarding the Tourism Commission.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: In response to a question yesterday about why it had taken so long for the Luxe Haus to be removed from the Tourism Commission website, a very specific supplementary was asked of the minister by the Hon. Emily Bourke. The supplementary was:

…has the minister previously met or spoken with the Luxe Haus owner and convicted sex offender Corey Ahlburg or any associated members of the Luxe Haus? If so, when, where and how often were these interactions?

Yesterday, the minister responded very definitively to that supplementary:

I don't recall meeting any of those people. I know of the Luxe Haus, and I don't recall meeting any of those people.

The minister went on to say, regarding whether he had ever visited the Luxe Haus:

No, I am sort of too busy to enjoy much of the tourism hospitality around South Australia. So, no, I haven't been to the Luxe Haus at all.

Twenty-four hours have now passed for the minister to consider his position and the answers he has given. So, minister, have you ever met with, talked to or associated in any way with convicted sex offender Corey Ahlburg? Minister, the truth this time, please.

The PRESIDENT: The last bit is out of order, Leader of the Opposition. You know that. Minister.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:21): Thank you for your protection, Mr President. I have come to expect nothing less of the former minister. In relation to yesterday's questions, I will actually go back to some of the questions that the honourable member asked. Firstly, he asked whether I had met Mr Ahlburg on 20 December 2018 at a particular function. I said I would check my records. On that particular date, I was in Port Lincoln.

However, in the interests of transparency and openness, I checked other dates. On 19 December, I attended a function that I believe the member was referring to, but I have no recollection of seeing or meeting Mr Ahlburg at that particular event. Since becoming minister, I have had no meetings or interactions with Mr Ahlburg or anybody associated with the Luxe Haus. I have not visited or stayed at the property known as the Luxe Haus, and I have not received any gifts or complimentary stays.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Leader of the Opposition, you have the opportunity to ask supplementaries. Minister.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Thank you, Mr President, for allowing me to continue. I checked my records regarding my interactions prior to when I became a minister. In 2013, in opposition, I travelled to China on a parliamentary trip where, among other things, I opened the South Australian Wine Group cellar door in Wuhan as part of the Global Public Procurement Forum and Sourcing Fair. My recollection is that Mr Ahlburg was present at some of those events. It is likely that there have been occasions since when we would have both been guests at the same event, but I have no recollection of any specific interactions.

The PRESIDENT: Leader of the Opposition, a supplementary.