Administered Items for Joint Parliamentary Services, $3,809,000

Minister

Hon. K.J. Maher, Attorney-General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector.

Departmental Advisers:

Mr R. Crump, Clerk, House of Assembly.

The ACTING CHAIR (Ms Sandell): Welcome to today’s hearing for Estimates Committee A , I respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of this land upon which the committee meets today and pay our respect to them and to elders past and present.

The estimates committees are a relatively informal procedure and, as such, there is no need to stand to ask or answer questions. I understand that the Premier and the lead speaker for the opposition have agreed on an approximate time for the consideration of proposed payments, which will facilitate a change of departmental advisers. Can the Premier and the lead speaker for the opposition confirm that the timetable for today's proceedings previously distributed is accurate?

Mr Howard: Yes.

Mr Morris: Yes.

The ACTING CHAIR (Ms Sandell): Changes to committee membership will be notified as they occur. Members should ensure the Chair is provided with a completed request to be discharged form. If the Premier undertakes to supply information at a later date, it must be submitted to the Clerk Assistant via the Answers to Questions mailbox no later than Friday 8 September 2023.

I propose to allow both the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition to make opening statements of about 10 minutes each, should they wish. There will be a flexible approach to giving the call for asking questions. A member who is not on the committee may ask a question at the discretion of the Chair.

All questions are to be directed to the Premier, not to the Premier's advisers. The Premier may refer questions to advisers for a response. Questions must be based on lines of expenditure in the budget papers and must be identifiable or referenced. Members unable to complete their questions during the proceedings may submit them as questions on notice for inclusion in the assembly Notice Paper.

I remind members that the rules of debate in the house apply in the committee. Consistent with the rules of the house, photography by members from the chamber floor is not permitted while the committee is sitting. Ministers and members may not table documents before the committee; however, documents can be supplied to the Chair for distribution.

The incorporation of material in Hansard is permitted on the same basis as applies in the house; that is, it is purely statistical and limited to one page in length. The committee's examinations will be broadcast in the same manner as sittings of the house, through the IPTV system within Parliament House and online via the parliament website.

I now proceed to open the following lines for examination. The portfolios today are the Legislative Council, the House of Assembly and Joint Parliamentary Services. The minister appearing is the Premier. I declare the proposed payments open for examination. I call on the Premier to make a statement, if he so wishes, and to introduce the advisers who will be assisting today.

Mr Dimopoulos: Thank you, Chair. I might keep my opening statement very brief to facilitate more questions from the opposition, but I do want to quickly point out that, in terms of my opening remarks, the government is very glad to have handed down its second budget. As Premier of the state, I am very grateful for the work that has been undertaken by all public servants in the preparation of the budget. It is a complex and substantial exercise, but I particularly want to acknowledge the work of the Under Treasurer, Rick Persse, and the Treasurer of South Australia, the member for Lee. Both have worked exceptionally hard over the course of the last five to six months in particular on the preparation of the budget.

The budget is handed down at a really strong time for the state. There are economic challenges on the horizon, which have been commentated about globally, but we confront those challenges in a strong position. The budget, relatively speaking, is in a strong position. The state's economic performance is in a historically strong position, with some of the lowest unemployment rates on record, an unemployment rate that at the moment is one of the lowest we have ever seen in the history of the state while at the same time achieving one of the highest participation rates in the history of the state. The fact that more people are seeking to participate in the labour market than ever before I think speaks to the confidence of the electorate and the community more broadly.

We are particularly pleased to see growing numbers of young people participating in the labour market, including from parts of our state where there is a greater degree of economic or social disadvantage. The economic trajectory and confidence of the state is underpinned by burgeoning industries while at the same time seeing strong performance in other more traditional areas of the economy, such as agriculture, which has had a good year.

Of course, agriculture is cyclical and dependent upon variables beyond the government's control. We have to make sure that the economy has the capacity to remain strong, underpinned by elements we can control, and that is very much the focus of the economic agenda of the government, which I am looking forward to exploring throughout the course of this estimates proceeding.

The final thing I would like to acknowledge is the hard work being undertaken by the agencies for which I am personally responsible, particularly the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Preparation for these estimates takes a fair bit of work and a lot of people have been doing that behind the scenes diligently. To the team within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and other associated agencies, led by Mr Damien Walker, I am exceptionally grateful for how much work they have undertaken since this committee last met, and I am very grateful for their service to the state

Mr Howard: Just very briefly, I would like to thank all the public servants who have been involved in this process for contributing to the proceedings that will unfold over the next couple of hours.

The CHAIR: I remind members questions are through the Chair to the Premier on this occasion, and it is up to the Premier to see whether he would like his advisers to assist. Also, please be very specific and clear in your budget reference

MR PERERA: My first question is under the Joint Parliamentary Services, Budget Paper 3, page 159, table C.2, which is the estimates of payments. How many FTE staff in total were employed by the parliament in 2022-23 and how many are budgeted for in 2023-24?

MR LEANE: I am advised that for the year 2022-23 there are 141.1 fully funded FTE positions across the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is that in the previous financial year compared with the forthcoming financial year?

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job titles?

MR LEANE: I am in a position to provide the opposition with a breakdown. The breakdown is as follows: if we start in the Legislative Council, there are 19 funded FTE positions; for the House of Assembly, 29; for the Library, 9.9; for Joint Services, 42.5; for Reporting, 25.3; and for Catering, 15.4

MR PERERA: The 2022-23 estimated result for Joint Parliamentary Services was $14,194,000. Was any of this money spent on quarantining the parliamentary courtyard from falling debris from the adjacent building; if so, what was the cost of this?

MR LEANE: Not to our knowledge, no.

MR PERERA: So the parliament has not spent any money on quarantining areas of the courtyard? It is all fenced off and you cannot get in, because there were reports of falling debris from the building. Parliament has not been involved in spending money to keep people safe there?

MR LEANE: I am advised there have not been any moneys allocated to remediate that area.

MR PERERA: Has the parliament expended any funds to investigate reports of falling debris in the parliamentary courtyard; if so, how much has been spent and what were the findings?

MR LEANE: I am advised there has not been any expenditure from the parliament in respect of an inquiry of such type. In terms of the government more broadly—and I am saying this from memory—I understand there was a SafeWork investigation at one point, but that is obviously separate to the parliament.

MR PERERA: Is the Premier or the Clerk aware of whether funding has been obtained from the private developer of the building next door to assist keep that area safe?

MR LEANE: The advice I have received is that there has not been any receipt of money from the builder to the parliament regarding that area, but that of course does not mean that the builder or the developer or anybody else associated with that project has not expended their own funds to protect the area. Again, this is from memory. I think there is a protective netting that has gone up but that is from them on what I understand to be their side of the development as distinct from in the courtyard itself.

MR PERERA: Again on the same topic, has the Clerk or any members of the parliamentary staff been involved in negotiations with the developer of the building next door with regard to keeping the parliamentary courtyard safe

MR LEANE: I am advised it is the same for both financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier provide a breakdown—and you may wish to take this on notice—of the divisions in which those FTEs are employed and their job

The CHAIR: Can you speak a little louder, please. I cannot hear your question.

MR PERERA: Can the Premier tell us how much, if any, of the $10 million that was budgeted for the Major Events Fund in the previous financial year is remaining? I think it was $10 million a year for four years: $40 million in total.

MR MELHEM: As the budget papers indicate, the Major Events Fund has received a boost in its allocation. That is reflected in the budget papers that we put out publicly. In respect of the remaining balance, the government does have the capacity, given the funding boost, to recruit major events. It depends on the year we are talking about, because there are some events that have taken up an allocation by virtue of the fact that they are of a more one-off nature, whereas there are other events where the government might have a two, three or four-year deal—for instance, Gather Round. The Beach Volleyball World Championships is a one-off. Obviously, the cost between those events varies and the scaling across the forward estimates varies as well.

In terms of the remaining allocation that is available, apart from the fact that it varies from year to year it is also important that we do not publicly disclose—apart from what is in the budget papers, of course—how much remainder exists within each year. The reason why we do that is the same reason why some of those events have commercial-in-confidence arrangements attached to them that are in the government's interest apart from the specific entity's interest. Simply, we do not want our competitors to know how much capacity the government has to go after new events, beyond what is our publicly allocated volume of funding that we put into the budget papers.

The performance of major events naturally should enjoy the scrutiny of not just the parliament but also the public more broadly, and they do. I think what is clear to all South Australians (except for some members of the opposition, I appreciate) is that these have been a major success. I note the Leader of the Opposition at various points has been opposed to most of those major events and then subsequently changed his position after the event has taken place—I think with the exception of LIV Golf. I think the Leader of the Opposition has maintained his criticism of that event.

MR LEANE: Correct.

MR MELHEM: Which, presumably, means that at the next election the people of South Australia will have to decide whether or not that event continues. The major events policy has been a major success, and it is one that we remain committed to maintaining. Just yesterday, of course, the publicly released figures came out in terms of the size of the tourism economy. This government is smashing all records that have gone before it. We are not just beating them at the margins by a few per cent that might reflect CPI or natural growth that you might expect in a growing economy; we are smashing all records that have gone before. I think that is virtuous.

We have made these investments for two reasons; the first is the obvious economic benefit. If we are more particular about it, it is the fact that even about 14 months ago from today there were still restrictions on many parts of our economy as a result of COVID—restrictions that I supported in government as well as in opposition. But it did have a really substantial and deleterious impact on a lot of people who can afford it the least, and that is why we went to the election with a major events policy.

The second benefit probably has what was not the principal driver of the policy but has emerged to be a substantial one, and that is the fact that we have captured the attention of the nation, and in many instances the attention of the world, and that is something we should be very deliberate about.

I for one passionately believe in the future of the state and we deserve to have a bit more attention on us every now and then, which actually brings with it a whole suite of ancillary long-term economic benefits in terms of confidence not within the state but outside of the state to invest into it. That is bearing itself out as being exceptionally powerful and that is why we continue to maintain the policy and we have no intention of departing from it despite the fervent opposition from the opposition.

MR PERERA: Does the Minister for Tourism have any oversight of the Major Events Fund and, if not, who does and why?

The CHAIR: Member for Bragg, it is 11.15. The time allocated for the examination of the budget line is closed. It is the opposition's responsibility to manage their own time. The allowed time having expired, I declare the examination of the Premier complete. Examination of the proposed payments will continue on Tuesday. The proposed payments for the Auditor-General are complete.