Premier’s pregnant pause

Whilst spruiking the latest designs for the Women’s and Children’s Hospital on Monday, Premier Peter Malinauskas also displayed a rare lost-for-words moment when reporters threw in a wobbly question about the Tourism Commission’s use of social media influencers.

Some crafty work from the Opposition prompted a withering media release blowing a hole in the government’s touted $32 million value add created by drawing social media influencers to an invite-only concert headlining Sam Smith.

Backed by a Freedom of Information request, the Opposition said its data showed more than $24.5 million of the influencer’s estimated Advertising Value Equivalent was for exposure either critical of the event or completely off-topic.

When the Premier was asked for his thoughts on influencers – there was a pause.

Photo: Brett Hartwig/InDaily

In fact, it was an 11-seconds pause before reporters waiting in the rain near old Adelaide Gaol heard the Premier thinks “influencers appeal to some more than others”.

“I could barely name an influencer to tell you the truth, unless Travis Boak (Port Power football player) is an influencer,” the Premier said, maybe a subtle reminder that he did manage to get the Gather Round footy tournament to be played in SA – and go Port Power.

He did add that: “I do accept that in the modern age that social media is an important space to be able to get your message out and project an image for marketing purposes …. but I think it needs to be done thoughtfully and carefully.”

Later that day, tourism minister Zoe Bettison – flanked by the commission’s new CEO Emma Terry – revealed she would be pulling the advertising value equivalent measure from future evaluations.

“Because of this, I have instructed SATC not to use this measure going forward,” Bettison said.

“We heard from Sounds Australia that they had their concerns, and while we saw tremendous success with this publicity event, and we also had 150 pieces of global coverage in newspapers and magazines like Rolling Stone, we know that it captured negative press.

“So, I think as a measure going forward, we should look to something else.”

Chin Chin to gin in parli

Our parliamentarians may have been under a different kind of influence as they gave three cheers to gin in the chamber… and rightly patted the government bartender on the back for only stocking SA product. Be sure to watch the video below.

Festival Centre hits middle age

Today marks 50 years since the Festival Centre was opened – pre-dating the Sydney Opera House. Back in 1973, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, South Australian Premier Don Dunstan, SA Governor Sir Mark Oliphant and Adelaide Lord Mayor Robert Porter attended the opening night concert of Beethoven classics in the building designed by John Morphett.

A fun fact supplied by the centre’s marketing team is “The Festival Theatre had been created for the people of South Australia – two weeks prior to the opening night 40,000 South Australians inspected the theatre in a single day. The queue stretched from King William Road to North Terrace.”

Today you’d need a permit for that many people to congregate around that spot.

Own goal? Govt to face unlikely park lands probe

The Malinauskas Government will now be probed about its management of Adelaide park lands – despite having the numbers to quash the inquiry – in a twist that raised eyebrows in parliament this week.

On Wednesday afternoon, Upper House Labor MPs rejected an Opposition push to create a Select Committee inquiry into the “management and preservation” of the Adelaide park lands.

The committee – which shapes as a very loud sounding board for park lands supporters to throw stones at the government over heritage and development – was voted down on a razor thin 10 to 9 margin, Labor just getting over the line with the support of SA-Best.

But The InSider has been told the inquiry will go ahead anyway because the Opposition was able to establish the probe through the already existing Economic and Finance Committee.

The committee – which has a majority of Labor MPs – sat on Thursday morning. Committee chair Eddie Hughes did not return calls, but The InSider understands the absence of two Labor MPs – Adelaide’s Lucy Hood and Light’s Tony Piccolo – gave the Liberals the numbers to vote through the inquiry.

Devil is in the detail

The Tiser went all double-page spread on the financial wranglings of VAILO owner Aaron Hickman, citing a letter from the prominent businessman to what they call “his supporters” that he had to hire 24-hour security around his house after an attempted break in by three masked men.

The only detail they didn’t include was Hickman’s assertion in the same email that “unfortunately, The Advertiser photographer breached our security arrangements and argued with security yesterday whilst attempting to take photos. I take this invasion of privacy and impacts to my family, seriously”. The InSider errs on the side of full disclosure: Hickman is an InDaily 40 Under 40 alumnus and now sponsor.

The Pub Test

It seems like the new protest law is having its intended effect, with all three pub respondents saying they won’t be joining a picket line or protest any time soon because they can’t afford the fine.

“I personally don’t think the new laws are good for the Adelaide culture,” said Fred, a 20-year-old dishwasher at The Griffins Hotel. “I haven’t ever been to a protest, but I can’t really see myself going to any sort of future protest given the harsh new laws.”

His mate Harry agreed.

“I think frankly the new laws are ridiculous,” the 26-year-old line cook said. “I don’t link there should be laws limiting people’s protests.”

“Well, I’m always at work, so I don’t really have time to protest. But I would if I could. But with these new laws, I’m not too sure I would in the future.”

Erin, a 30-year-old childhood educator was more philosophical about the changes.

“I feel like the new maximum fine is ridiculous. Makes you wonder… why does the government want people to stop protesting?” she pondered.

“I think by increasing the fine, there is a possibility that the government is attempting to scare people into compliance for issues they might not believe in.

“I definitely will not be protesting in the future, as I cannot afford a $50,000 dollar fine, it’s just way too much.”

Stuff you should know…

It’s National Donut Day… a first Friday of June tradition started in the United States and brought across the world to market sugary goodness.

Krispy Kreme is using the day to give away 100,000 of their Original Glazed donuts, with the press release helpfully giving tips on its busiest Adelaide stores and not to wait till the afternoon sugar craving sends office workers scurrying to the shops.

But if you want to do some good with your sugar rush, hit Vili’s Family Bakery for their Tjindu Foundation Reconciliation Week & NAIDOC Week Donut fundraiser. They are giving 50 cents from the sale of each donut to help the Tjindu Foundation create positive, long-term change for Aboriginal children in communities across South Australia through cultural education and success in schooling that enables them to become future leaders.

Or hit OMG! Decadent Donuts. They say they are “raising some dough (pun intended) for Australian charity Orange Sky” to tackle homelessness.