Government Advertising

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:34): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the minister representing the Treasurer on the topic of government advertising.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: In the financial year of 2022-23, the state government spent $47.6 million on government advertising, which is a record for South Australia. Some of the government's key advertising campaigns include $1.65 million spent on the State Prosperity Project, $1.15 million on promoting their Housing Roadmap, and $742,000 on promoting their budget. My question to the minister representing the Treasurer is: how many new hospital beds could you deliver with $47.6 million? How much public transport infrastructure could be rolled out with $47.6 million? How many public houses could be built with $47.6 million? How many nurses, doctors and teachers could you employ with $47.6 million? Does the government really believe their $47.6 million advertising bill is in the public interest?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:36): I will be more than happy to pass on that question to my colleague in another place.