Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-09-12 Daily Xml

Contents

RIVERLAND SUSTAINABLE FUTURES FUND

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:34): On the understanding that the Loxton project was funded out of River Murray money, is there any additional money beyond the $20 million for projects out of the fund—

The Hon. G.E. Gago: $25 million plus $12.5—but is there any more?

The Hon. S.G. WADE: Sorry, if I just finish my supplementary question—

The Hon. G.E. Gago: Where's the rest? You're mad.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: I just ask the minister to identify—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Wade is on his feet trying to get a supplementary question. He doesn't need any help from his backbench.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Ridgway can return to his papers.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: I ask the minister to advise of one dollar, one project, over and above the $20 million from the Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund where she was able to match funding within that fund with commonwealth moneys, not warm fuzzy commonwealth relations.

The PRESIDENT: No debate, just the question; you've asked the question. The Minister for Regional Development.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:35): The honourable member stutters because he doesn't know what he is talking about. He is embarrassed. He gets to his feet and starts to shoot his mouth off—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: —and he realises he doesn't know what he is talking about. That is why he is stammering over his words: he doesn't know what he is talking about. He gets to his feet, shoots off his mouth and then starts stammering because he doesn't know what he is talking about.

How much more do we need to deliver? This government has committed to and will deliver the $20 million to the Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund, to the Riverland area, to those regions that suffered from drought, and we will deliver $20 million to stimulate business, investment, jobs and diversification in that region—$20 million.

We have also used our commitment to help negotiate with the former federal government $25 million for diversification and also $12.5 million towards our Loxton development centre. I am just gobsmacked that the honourable member then insists, 'Well, what more? Name another dollar.' These funds weren't contingent on that $5 million.

The Hon. S.G. Wade: Well, it's not leveraging, then.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: It was leveraging because we were able to demonstrate our credentials. We were able to demonstrate our commitment, not just in terms of the previous $15 million commitment but also the $5 million that we were able to have on the table.