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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-03-15 Daily Xml
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INNOVATE SA

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood) (14:56): My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade. Why does his department continue to take out advertisements promoting the importance of Innovate SA's role in supporting renewable energy in South Australia, given that the minister has recently closed Innovate SA, terminated the Renewable Energy Commissioner and terminated the renewable energy grants program? What is the cost of this advertising and can the minister justify this expenditure in light of recent significant program cost cutting in his department? Innovate SA has taken out large colour advertisements on page 3 of the SA Business Journal for the past three weeks since announcing their imminent closure.

The SPEAKER: Minister, before you answer, there were some inferences in that question. However, I will leave it up to you to answer.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:57): If you ever wanted an example of why Innovate SA was closed, it is because they are taking out full-page ads when they have had their funding ceased. The important thing to remember here is that the member for Norwood is very concerned about costs. Innovate SA was a saving. We brought that back into the government so we could control it. With Innovate SA taking out full-page ads when they have had their funding cut, it really questions their ability to manage their own finances. Quite frankly, I think his question really answered itself, didn't it? Why did the government cease funding when they are taking out full-page coloured ads? I think it is obvious. If you are so worried about costs—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —why would you move your office 100 metres down the road?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I will tell you why he did. He says it on his website: to be closer to the Parade football ground.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr WILLIAMS: Point of order. I draw your attention to Standing Order 98.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I will uphold that. Minister, have you finished your answer?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The government is always prepared to look at making sure that we can do our very best for innovation. That is why we have created a brand-new department called the Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy. The substantial growth in our defence—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Unley, order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I liked it better when your mother was here; you were much better behaved.

The SPEAKER: We all did.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: She's a very good woman and very proud of you, and so she should be. Substantial growth in our defence industries is a very good example of South Australia being a tech-based innovative place to do business and grow business. The government is on a mission to bring innovation to South Australia. We open the doors of the state to those who can recognise the potential to invest in South Australia. That is why we recently launched Invest in South Australia, to play a key role in securing investments that will build on existing prosperity. The government is committed to innovation and trade. We are committed to making sure that our manufacturers survive.

Mr MARSHALL: Point of order, Madam Speaker. My point of order is relevance. My question was: why is the government continuing to expend money on expensive colour advertisements for a department or an agency that they have actually closed down in the last three weeks?

The SPEAKER: Order! I think the minister is answering this adequately.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Innovate SA is independent, and we ceased the funding because the government is not satisfied with the service Innovate SA provided. Here is a great example of that service not being satisfactory.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Reynell.

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