State Budget

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:33): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development regarding the upcoming budget. Can the minister confirm to the people of South Australia that funding to her department for FTE programs or services will not be cut by her government in the upcoming state budget?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:33): I thank the honourable member for her question. I think today is 31 May and I think the budget is being handed down on 2 June. Of course, it is always possible that—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —there is a mistake with those dates. I don't actually have a calendar right in front of me—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —but I think it is on the parliamentary sitting calendar when the budget will be handed down. I am very confident that that is—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —on Thursday, and when that budget is handed down I am sure the budget papers will be a source of great enlightenment for the honourable member, the Leader of the Opposition.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I am sure she will look forward to perusing those. I am sure the budget as delivered by this government will be to the point, to the future of South Australia, not just for the next four years but for future generations, because of course the Malinauskas Labor government, when in opposition, went to the electors of South Australia talking about a vision for the future. We weren't there ignoring the regions, we weren't there ignoring peak bodies, we weren't there ignoring those who had a difference of opinion to ourselves, because we think it's important to be inclusive of those with other opinions. What I hear over and over—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I hear the opposition laughing about the idea of being inclusive to those who have different opinions. Of course, that's quite representative of the former Liberal government and their attitude. We hear from business groups, we hear from individuals, we hear from peak bodies, we hear from people throughout the state that the former Liberal government didn't want to hear any opinions other than opinions that aligned with their own, which is no doubt why those members opposite are laughing about the concept of actually listening to them. To come back to the particular question, the budget is on Thursday, and I look forward to further questions after the budget has been released.