House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-02-28 Daily Xml

Contents

THE CONSERVATORY

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood) (14:56): My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade. Will the minister explain why the government funded a fit-out of his department's offices to the tune of $5 million at the same time as cutting future funding for Innovate SA of $3 million? What does this say about his Labor government's priorities?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:56): Madam Speaker, I will have to take that on notice, because I am not quite sure what he is talking about. If he is saying that we have recently spent $5 million on a refit of the department at The Conservatory—is that what you are talking about?

Mr Marshall: Absolutely.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I will get a detailed answer for the member and bring it back to the house.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr MARSHALL: Madam Speaker, the substance of the question was not to do with the quantum of $5 million. It was pointed at what the priorities were for the government when they cut funding of $3 million to Innovate SA—

The SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Norwood. However, I think the minister is interpreting that it is based on that $5 million versus $3 million. He will come back with an answer, he said. I am quite satisfied with his explanation.