House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-11-19 Daily Xml

Contents

TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Mr GRIFFITHS (Goyder—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:08): My question is to the Treasurer—or, indeed, is it the Premier in waiting, Kevin? You might have to explain to me later on. In what investment product did the Department of Trade and Economic Development—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr GRIFFITHS: In what investment product did the Department of Trade and Economic Development invest nearly $2.8 million and lose the entire amount, as revealed by the Auditor-General's 2008-09 report, who made the decision to invest, and what action has the government taken in this matter? Pages 1441 and 1442 of Volume IV of the 2008-09 Auditor-General's Report reveal that 'this shortfall is attributed to the government's investment, resulting in a write-down from $2.789 million investment to a carrying value of nil'.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Federal/State Relations) (15:09): Is it not interesting how the shadow treasurer waits until 10 past 3, cameras gone bar one, to ask me a question? Because you are running scared; we know that. What I also find extraordinary is that two days ago, I think, or a day ago, I had a 45 minute questioning session on the Auditor-General's Report, and that question was not asked. So, I say to the deputy leader, if this is such an important question, why didn't the shadow minister—

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order: standing order 127. He is clearly impugning the motive of the questioner on this matter. It is a personal reflection.

The SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. He is not impugning the character of anyone.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Sir, the point I am making is—and I am happy to get an answer for the deputy leader; that's not an issue—but—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: No, I haven't got the information at hand.

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Fashion design from Mr Bean, hey? Crikey! Mr Speaker, I just simply say that I have waited now three days, and probably a lot more, for a probing question on the finances of this state. We wait until the very end of question time on the last day, and it is a question that he could have asked me a day and a half ago.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition.