Christmas Pageant

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (15:14): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment regarding the Christmas Pageant.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS: On Saturday 9 November this year, thousands of South Australians attended the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant. In addition to the Premier blowing the whistle for the pageant to commence, the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment participated in the pageant as a fisherman. The minister congratulated people for the support provided to the event, saying, 'Adelaide should be so proud of the way they support this fabulous event.'

However, the government hypocritically refused to provide support themselves by refusing to bring back free public transport for the Christmas Pageant and by refusing to step in and assist when South Australians learned the Magic Cave would be removed as part of the Christmas Pageant. My question to the minister is: why did the government decide to withhold support for the pageant?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (15:15): I thank the honourable member for her question. It was indeed a great thrill to be involved in the Christmas Pageant this year—the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant, the first time that they have sponsored it. I think they were delighted with it. I do recall going to the Christmas Pageant with my mother more than 50 years ago. So it is something that has been enduring.

It is fabulous. I think it is in its 87^th year this year. The actual thrill—to sit on a float and watch the look on the children's and mums' and dads' and grandparents' faces I think is a real thrill. My understanding is that 325,000 people lined the streets of the 3.3-kilometre route. We have a new sponsor that wanted to end the pageant at the town hall. It was a pleasure to be there with the Lord Mayor and the king and queen, I might add, to welcome Father Christmas—

The PRESIDENT: Minister, we are down to about—

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Point of order.

The PRESIDENT: Don't worry about it, the Hon. Ms Scriven; I am on it. We are down to 2½ minutes. The question was: why didn't the government provide funds? I am going to be tight on relevance because I am not having you run the clock down. Minister.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Mr President, the government is very happy to partner with National Pharmacies. We had a wonderful event. It now ends at the town hall. It was a great new concept and we are happy to continue with the sponsorship of National Pharmacies. The Magic Cave won't be funded.

The PRESIDENT: Supplementary, the Hon. Ms Franks.