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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-07-06 Daily Xml
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ADELAIDE CONVENTION CENTRE

Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (15:57): My question is to the Deputy Premier, the Minister for Urban Development, Planning and the City of Adelaide. Can the minister inform the house about the release of the designs for Adelaide's redeveloped Convention Centre?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Urban Development, Planning and the City of Adelaide, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Food Marketing) (15:57): I thank the honourable member very much for her question. Yes, last week the government was able to unveil the plans for the new Convention Centre, which is a $350 million redevelopment in two stages. The first stage involves the construction of a new building to the west of the existing building, which will come into contact at its western margin with the Morphett Street Bridge, and then subsequently there will be a second phase of the development when the existing plenary building is demolished and a new building replaces it.

These developments are a crucial element of the government's vision for rejuvenating the riverbank precinct and will obviously become part of the postcard landscape of the city of Adelaide for years to come. The plans not only include very significant and impressive new buildings but will also provide for different ways of access through and about the river precinct—that is, through North Terrace to the riverbank itself, a new frontage onto the Morphett Street Bridge so that there will be now a—

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: Point of order, Madam Speaker. I seek your ruling on the question of whether the minister is addressing a matter before a committee of the parliament. The Public Works Committee has heard evidence this morning on the project to which the minister is referring. The committee is yet to report and complete its work, and I seek your guidance on whether the question is out of order.

The SPEAKER: Minister, you would be aware of the implications of that question. I would hope that your response would be—

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Yes, Madam Speaker, you might be able to assist me because I have a question which you might be able to assist me with. My understanding is that if the committee has basically discharged its function, it is perfectly reasonable for me to go down this path. I do understand that, at some point in the committee meeting, certain members put their hands over their faces and said, 'We're not here, we're not here, we're not here,' and a vote was taken whilst they were standing there pretending not to be there. Does the fact that they say they are not there render them not there? That is actually a relevant question, because my understanding is if you are in the room—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.R. RAU: —and the Hansard—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Madam Speaker, it is a bit like, 'There's no-one here but us chickens.' If you are actually on the Hansard saying, 'Hey, I'm not here, I'm not here!'—

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: Point of order, Madam Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Order! Point of order.

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: I am seeking your decision on the point of order I have raised. It is not a question for debate. It is a question of the Public Works Committee having to report to the house on the project, which has not yet occurred, so it is before the committee.

The SPEAKER: I understand there was some controversy about that meeting this morning. I am not sure of the full circumstances of it; I have heard varying rumours. I think until that matter is clarified for me we will defer that question until a later time. I will go to the next question. Leader of the Opposition.

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Point of order, Madam Chair: I think the Hansard will show that the Deputy Premier claims to have quoted from the Hansard, which is yet not public, and is privileged to the committee. I would ask you to look at that during the break and give a ruling.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Davenport. I will look at the Hansard, but I don't think—I didn't hear the Attorney-General say—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I have said that I will look further into this matter, because I understand there are some issues relating to the committee meeting this morning, and I will follow them up and report back to the house. Leader of the Opposition.

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