The State Government is paying consultancy firm KPMG more than $500 thousand to find out whether South Australia should bid to host more major events. Premier Peter Malinauskas says the taxpayer-funded analysis considers the state's capacity to host non-sporting events, such as business or arts festivals. But the government isn't planning to release the findings publicly yet.
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00:00 As the Premier looks to build up SA's events calendar, his government is spending almost
00:07 $640,000 taxpayer dollars to try and figure out if it can host more major events.
00:14 We have contracted KPMG to undertake a thorough examination for us of particular propositions
00:21 into the future that aren't sporting related.
00:23 After funding big sport offerings like AFL Gather Round and Live Golf, the government's
00:28 asked the consultancy firm to find out if SA has the accommodation and transport needed
00:34 to host other events too. But it's yet to release the findings.
00:39 We want to make sure that if we don't release something that competitive states then can
00:43 use to their advantage even though it's been at the expense of SA taxpayers.
00:47 I mean this is the sort of thing you'd see on Yes Minister or Utopia. Of course SA's
00:52 deserve to see that report. I can't imagine for a moment that the government's ever going
00:57 to release it though.
00:58 The government's also hired a former SA Tourism Commission Chairperson to conduct a second
01:03 review of the Takari Aboriginal Cultural Centre slated for North Terrace. He wants to find
01:09 out how many overseas tourists the centre could attract if it's built.
01:13 We've been really scrupulous about wanting to make sure that the decision we make is
01:17 underpinned by evidence that any such investment will be a lasting positive one for the state.
01:23 Peter Malinowskis says he's in discussions with philanthropists and the federal government
01:28 to boost the project's budget, which may hit $600 million, triple the amount allocated.
01:34 I've personally spoken to entities who have expressed an interest in potentially partnering
01:42 with us and that will be important.
01:44 Peter Malinowskis has set an end of year deadline to decide if Takari goes ahead.
01:49 [BLANK_AUDIO]