House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-09-09 Daily Xml

Contents

Statutory Authority Dividends

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:51): Supplementary: does the Treasurer have any knowledge of the Renewal SA board decision to seek approval to not have to pay the dividend, as you published in the budget on 18 June?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:51): I wouldn't be surprised if any independent statutory board did not want to pay me a dividend—they always want to keep their money—but, of course, this is the tension that occurs in formulating budgets. I will get back to the house with the detail. Other than to say, it is no surprise that independent statutory boards, when they have surplus funds, wish to use them for what they think is a fit purpose but, ultimately, the cabinet, the budget process and the parliament have the final say on that. I will get you a detailed answer, but I am not surprised if any statutory board, whether it is Renewal SA, the Entertainment Centre or whichever it might be, has a similar view.