Department for Communities and Social Inclusion, $998,989,000

Administered Items for the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion, $184,930,000

Membership:

Mr Gardner substituted for Mr Tarzia.

Ms Sanderson substituted for Mr Goldsworthy.

Dr McFetridge substituted for Mr Griffiths.

Minister:

Hon. Z.L. Bettison, Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers.

Departmental Advisers:

Ms J. Mazel, Chief Executive, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Mr A. Thompson, Executive Director, Financial Services, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Mr P. Bull, Executive Director, Youth Justice, Community Engagement and Organisational Support.

Ms N. Rogers, Director, Business Affairs, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Ms T. Stephenson, Principal Project Manager, Business Affairs, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Mr D. Caudrey, Executive Director, Disability SA, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Ms S. Wallace, Executive Director, Policy and Community Development, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Ms L. Young, Executive Director, Disability and Domiciliary Care Services, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Ms L. McAdam, Director, Community Connect, Youth Justice, Community Engagement and Organisational Support.

The CHAIR: Rather than read out the entire statement, I remind everybody to be mindful of the procedures for the estimates committee, particularly that questions must be based on a line of expenditure in the budget papers and must be prefaced by the identifiable reference. I declare the proposed payments open for examination and call on the minister to introduce her advisers and to make an opening statement, if she wishes.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Thank you, Chair; I do have an opening statement. The Communities and Social Inclusion portfolio is the cornerstone of the government's commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals and families and building strong, resilient communities. The diverse programs and activities delivered by the department are fundamental to ensuring that all South Australians can live a decent and productive life and contribute to the government's strategic priorities of keeping South Australia an affordable place to live, and building safe communities and healthy neighbourhoods. Over the last year, through this portfolio, much of this has been achieved for the people of South Australia. This included:

providing close to 900,000 household concessions;

receiving over 112,000 applications for screening and background checks of individuals who work or volunteer with children, vulnerable adults, or in the aged-care sector;

over the year, supervising approximately 500 young people on community-based youth justice orders, and 450 in custody;

providing domiciliary care services to over 6,700 older people across metropolitan Adelaide, helping people to remain independent at home;

and funding many non-government organisations across South Australia to provide early intervention and community development programs for vulnerable populations.

During the 2014 state election, the government committed to implementing a number of initiatives to ensure that South Australia remains an affordable place to live. These initiatives, to be progressed or implemented in 2014-15, include:

a $50 increase to the energy concession to take effect from 1 July 2014, increasing the concession to $215;

providing $1 million over the next four years for new community Foodbank outlets in Port Pirie, Edwardstown and Elizabeth which will allow emergency financial assistance recipients to 'shop' in a dignified environment that offers choice and provides much greater value for money; and

partnering with Good Shepherd Microfinance to expand the provision of no-interest and low-interest loan products and financial counselling in South Australia.

This new investment will complement the existing investment of around $4 million that this government has already committed to programs that contribute to making South Australia an affordable place to live. These programs include the emergency electricity payment scheme, financial counselling services, the emergency financial assistance program, the low income support program, the consumer credit legal service and the Utilities Literacy Program.

As a result of a decision taken by the federal government in its last budget, from 1 July 2014 the South Australian government will no longer receive almost $30 million to provide concessions to Pensioner Concession Card and Seniors Card holders in South Australia. This is $30 million that is used by pensioners and low-income earners to help meet their cost-of-living expenses and manage their finances.

I am pleased to confirm that the South Australian government will stand by these South Australians and, as outlined in the 2014-15 state budget, make up the shortfall in federal funding to ensure that some of our state's vulnerable citizens still retain the support they need to manage their household expenses.

Resulting from the Debelle inquiry, the government has moved to significantly strengthen employment screening for people working with children, the aged, people with disability and other groups of vulnerable people. From 1 July 2014, new requirements were introduced for screening for people who seek to work or volunteer in disability services funded under the Disability Services Act 1993. An extra $1.3 million provided to the DCSI Screening Unit in the 2014-15 State Budget will help minimise the impact of fee increases on volunteers and also enable service improvement initiatives, such as online application processes that will benefit all applicants.

In January and February this year, significant fires impacted on our state. Over 425,000 hectares of land was burnt by numerous bushfires across South Australia. The fires impacted on at least 20 local government areas, as well as state and Crown land. They had a significant impact on private property, housing, farms, farm equipment and stock, and public infrastructure (mainly roads).

The most significant fires occurred at Bangor, Eden Valley and Rockleigh. The whole of government response to the fires was coordinated through the State Recovery Committee, chaired by the chief executive of DCSI. In particular, DCSI provided valuable direct relief and assistance to affected individuals and will continue to work with these fire-affected communities into the 2014-15 financial year.

In 2013-14, the Behaviour Support Framework was implemented across the Adelaide Youth Training Centre. This strategic model promotes a safe custodial environment and provides pathways to increase young people's positive participation in community life. Key to the Behaviour Support Framework is the progression model, which provides individual incentives to encourage and support a young person to develop positive behaviour strategies and take responsibility for their progress. The progression model assists residents to reach short and long-term goals, develop life skills, address dysfunctional patterns of behaviour and take responsibility for choices.

This approach aims to give young people in custody the best possible opportunity to develop the skills and behaviours they will need when they return to their homes and communities. I do not have time this afternoon to outline all the significant achievements in this portfolio, but together these diverse activities have made a significant contribution to the lives of many South Australians and to building safe, strong communities where all can prosper.

The CHAIR: Member for Morphett, do you have a statement or just straight into questions?

Dr McFETRIDGE: We will get straight into questions, thank you. I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 118, Sub-program 7.2: Community support services and also Budget Paper 3, page 44 under Taxation revenue screening services. Minister, was the recent price rise for screening an 'announce and defend' process? What consultation was had with the stakeholders before the announcement was made?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Thank you very much for the question. The government has responsibility to protect vulnerable members of the community. The community expects this of us and we take this responsibility very seriously. This means that, depending on the role they perform and the sector they work in, employees and volunteers may require a screening check from my department's Screening Unit. The Screening Unit conducts these screening assessments in accordance with the provisions in the Children's Protection Regulations 2010, the Aged Care Act 1997 and various other administrative arrangements and directives. As well, as from 1 July 2014, the screening unit also conducts disability-related employment—

Dr McFETRIDGE: Minister, there is no argument about—

The CHAIR: Point of order?

Dr McFETRIDGE: There is, just on relevance, because we really need to know what consultation there was with the stakeholders before the announcement of the price rises.

The CHAIR: The minister is answering the question.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Fees for the DCSI screening services increased as a result of increasing costs associated with conducting these important checks. In line with increasing community expectations and the nature of the scope, the screening process has changed, making it more complex and more expensive. The 2014-15 budget includes increased net appropriation of $1.3 million in 2014-15. This ensures the impact of fee increases on volunteers is minimised, as well as enables important service improvements such as an online application process that will benefit all applicants.

Screening assessments are not a revenue raising strategy for government, and the fees, even with increases, will still not be equivalent to costs. The 2014-15 budget papers show increased operating expenses, funding for screening services, as over $4 million per year and $4.5 million in 2014-15. Revenue raised in the increase in fees is projected as considerably less.

Dr McFETRIDGE: I have been very patient here, minister, but can you tell me what consultation was there with stakeholders before the announcement?

The CHAIR: Just before the minister goes on: had you finished your answer, minister?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: No.

The CHAIR: No; so, we need to actually—

Mr GARDNER: She has not started it, ma’am.

The CHAIR: I am sorry, the standing orders are very clear: the minister is able to answer the question in any way she wishes; she is answering the question.

Mr GARDNER: That is not what the standing order says exactly, though, is it?

The CHAIR: I am advised that she is able to answer the question and she is answering the question. Minister.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Thank you. The levels of fees were set to better reflect the actual cost of delivering the service. Since the introduction of the new fees, both I and my department have held meetings with affected organisations and other stakeholders, including an information session that stakeholders were invited to attend. These meetings have focused on providing information, discussing—

Dr McFETRIDGE: So, announce and defend—it was an announce and defend.

The CHAIR: Order! We need to establish that the standing order about interrupting is still in practice here today. The minister is answering the question—

Mr GARDNER: Just not the one about relevance.

The CHAIR: Well, the minister is able to answer the question, I am informed, in any way she wishes, as long as she keeps to the budget paper line; she is answering the question.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: The screening fees increase were part of the budget process.

Dr McFETRIDGE: Part of the budget process? Thank you, minister. On that same budget reference—in fact, I might just pass—

Mr GARDNER: Yes, can I have a question first? On Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 125, the objective is to ‘provide secure youth training facilities for young people who are detained.’ Minister, in Corrections estimates on Monday, minister Piccolo was asked about whether the government had any plans to utilise either of the youth justice facilities at Cavan to hold adult prisoners—especially at times of surge, is what I have in mind, but at any time. While he has said the government did not have any plans to do so, he refused to rule it out. Minister, can you please rule out any possibility that either of the youth justice facilities at Cavan will be utilised to hold adult prisoners?

The CHAIR: Before the minister answers, can the table just establish that this is part of your responsibilities?

Mr GARDNER: Yes; the gentleman on the right is responsible for Youth Justice.

The CHAIR: I am asking the minister, if that is alright. Is this part of your responsibilities?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Yes; the youth training facility is. We are signatory to both international and national conventions and standards in respect to detainment of children and young people in criminal justice systems. I am not aware of the situation that you have spoken about but I will ask Peter Bull to elaborate.

Mr BULL: The department has no plans to use either facility for adult prisoners at this point.

Mr GARDNER: And is the minister able to rule out, in this financial year, for example, that is upon is in this budget or indeed in the future, that either of those facilities will be used to hold adult prisoners?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I think Peter has made that clear.

Mr GARDNER: So that is a no? No to ruling it out, as minister Piccolo refused to?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Peter will just elaborate on the current situation.

Mr BULL: Just to be clear: we do have some residents that are over 18, but they are from the Youth Court orders. So, in terms of what we are talking about here—just to clarify; we are talking about prisoners that have come through the adult corrections—

Mr GARDNER: I am talking about prisoners sentenced as adults.

Mr BULL: Yes, that is right. There would be no possibility that we could put adult prisoners in either of those facilities in this financial year.

Mr GARDNER: And in future financial years, which was also part of the question?

Mr BULL: That is probably more a policy decision, but we have got no plans to do that.

Dr McFETRIDGE: Back to the previous reference on the screening programs, minister, just as a blood test is really a picture of a moment in time, does the government still think a three-yearly, or even an annual, screening is an acceptable way of detecting 'monsters in our midst'?

The CHAIR: Detecting or exposing?

Dr McFETRIDGE: Detecting.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Thank you very much for your question. I think that we have seen that the community expects that government will screen people who are in situations where they are in contact with children, the vulnerable and the aged. I think I have been very clear when I have spoken about this that, while we have a very robust screening unit, it is a risk assessment. It is based on actions of people in the past. I believe it is a robust system.

Obviously, we cannot predict the actions that a person will perform tomorrow, but we can look at actions in the past, and that is what the screening unit will assess. I think I have detailed before—and I can go through it again—the different levels of screening that we go through, depending on the type of check, but I do not think that is the nature of your question here.

Dr McFETRIDGE: The question goes on to: what progress has the government made with other states and territories in progressing a national screening system? Will screening protocols be updated in real time to give alerts to government departments and/or police?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: As you would see in the budget, there was an initial $1.3 million put into the screening unit for this year, and we are investigating point-in-time processes for screening.

Dr McFETRIDGE: Minister, how will you keep screening costs down but ensure rigorous screening protocols are in place?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: We do already subsidise the screening. As I think we have discussed in the past, volunteers will only be asked to pay once for their screening at that point of application. This will be a challenge. I think that greater efficiencies in the system, including online applications, will mean that those costs will come down, and we will be looking to gain greater efficiency.

Dr McFETRIDGE: Minister, why then are some NGOs, particularly those dealing with people with disabilities, screening every year when really they only have to do it every three years? Are you aware of the severe financial impact of the screening charge increase on the NGOs? I know of one NGO who will be paying an extra $250,000 to have their volunteers and their employees screened.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: We have our screening process, and we will be giving people a clearance letter. Most of that is employer driven, whether that be a volunteer or by paid employment. We also know that different organisations have their own policies in regard to screening, some of which, as you are saying, might be asked to screen on an annual basis.

This has been raised with me by SACOSS, and I said that I want to work collaboratively with them to understand what the concerns are about. I feel our system is robust, but it is a risk assessment. I want to understand what it is that those individual organisations are seeking by doing their own risk assessment, and see what we can do to collaborate and have more of an understanding.

I think one of the key things is we have seen that the use of screening has come into each of the states and territories in Australia. I think this is something that the community expects and, in fact, the community demands of us, and that we will see more discussion about how different organisations do their screening and how the government screening works as well.

Dr McFETRIDGE: On the same reference, minister, are our screening protocols accepted by all the other states and territories?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I understand that we have had some discussions, but I will ask Peter to elaborate.

Mr BULL: There is no transferability across Australia, as far as I am aware, at the moment. The national program is still being discussed, so there is no national screening policy as yet.

Dr McFETRIDGE: Minister, then how far away are we from a national screening protocol? Have you any idea, any indications, from any COAG meetings that you might have been to?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I am not aware of a COAG meeting in relation to this. You might be aware that the federal government cancelled many of the ministerial councils that may have covered this. I think it is covered in the Attorney-General's, which I am not part of, but I will ask Peter to make comment about that.

Mr BULL: I am not aware of what the time line might be on that. It has been going on for some years. I think there is some goodwill around Australia to try to have one, but there are differences in the types of information and the screening processes that each state uses, so what on the face of it seems like something that should be quite simplistic has turned out to be fairly complex, with states wanting to maintain their respective positions. South Australia uses a lot of additional information to try to provide the most thorough screening check we can, so we are a little bit reluctant to advise against reducing that position, and I think other states are probably somewhat similar in their approach.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Perhaps I could add that I am advised that child protection matters are being discussed in the context of the current royal commission against child abuse. Potentially, I suggest we will have some more collaboration following out of that, but I am very happy to come back to you with an answer if you wish.

Dr McFETRIDGE: Certainly, minister. I would particularly like to be included in any proposed changes so that we can work in a bipartisan way on this. Just going on with the financial impact of the screening charges increase, what will you be doing for NGOs which are having difficulties? In one case, a school was considering cancelling its school camp because the cost of screening for volunteers was making it impossible for them to hold that camp. I think it was in minister Piccolo's electorate. What are you doing to make sure that, say, Riding for the Disabled does not fall over?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I am aware of the policy changes that have triggered this next level of screening within both the disability sector and the child safety framework. It is often the introduction of those policy changes that has made the requirement for screening to be at this next level. I am aware of the concerns of the community and the impact of their fees, and I have been meeting and will continue to meet with the representatives to discuss their concerns. I will monitor the issues very closely and any consideration of special funding measures will be on a case-by-case basis.

The CHAIR: I need to clarify if there are any questions on my right. There are?

Mr HUGHES: Yes. I refer to Budget Paper 1, page 6. Will the minister advise how the government is protecting South Australian pensioners and low income earners from the federal government's cuts to concessions?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Members would be aware that as part of the most recent federal budget the Abbott government made the unilateral decision to cease the National Partnership Agreement on Certain Concessions for Pensioner Concession Card and Seniors Card Holders. As a result of this decision, from 1 July 2014 the South Australian government will no longer receive almost $30 million to provide concessions for pensioner concession card and Seniors Card holders in South Australia. That is $30 million that is used by pensioners and those on low incomes to help meet the cost of living expenses and help manage their finances.

I am pleased to confirm that the South Australian government will stand by these South Australians and make up the shortfall, as outlined in the 2014-15 state budget, in federal funding to ensure that some of our state's vulnerable citizens still retain the support they need to manage their household expenses. As outlined by the Treasurer, we will maintain concession entitlements in 2014-15, despite the federal government ceasing the national partnership and cutting the funding.

We will continue to honour our election commitment to increase energy concession, which from 1 July took effect, raising the maximum annual rate from $165 per annum to $215 per annum. This is almost a $30 million shortfall from the federal government and makes up a significant proportion of the total expenditure on concessions in South Australia.

As a result of their decision, the long-term future of a number of concessions in this state is now at risk. That is why this government will join with non-government organisations, advocacy groups and pensioners themselves to advocate with the federal government to reverse the decision and commit to the national partnership agreement that was set to expire in 2015-16.

Ms HILDYARD: I refer to Budget Paper 6, page 27. Can the minister advise how the state government is easing cost of living pressures experienced by households on low and fixed incomes?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I thank you for the question. I am pleased to advise that on 1 July 2014 this government increased concessions in this state by $50. This increase is being administered through the energy concession, bringing the amount that an eligible individual can claim per annum to $215. This is a significant increase and will help many South Australian households on low and fixed incomes meet their household budgeting requirements.

Providing this increase with an energy concession, as opposed to another concession, ensures the greatest number of concession recipients receive the increase, as energy concessions are available at the same rate to both homeowners and tenants. To ensure that residents of residential parks and caravan parks also benefit, the residential parks concession scheme has also been updated to incorporate this $50 increase.

I am also pleased to advise that the state government is extending this concession to those South Australians who have chronic medical conditions that are severely exacerbated by changes in temperature and need to frequently operate air-conditioning and heating systems. That means in excess of 2,000 South Australians currently receiving the medical heating and cooling concession will also receive the $50 increase, which in fact is a potential $100 per annum increase should they also be eligible for the normal energy concession.

The increase follows a concerted effort by this government to ease cost of living pressures for South Australians on low or fixed incomes. Since coming to government, we have significantly increased the concessions and remissions amount that South Australians on low or fixed incomes can receive.

Most recently, we increased the water concession from 1 July 2013, and now we continue our good record in this area by increasing the energy concession. This is, of course, in addition to many other concessions and remissions that South Australian households on low or fixed incomes may be eligible for, such as remissions for council rates, concessions for water and sewerage charges, emergency services levy, fixed property and public transport concessions.

Ms WORTLEY: Minister, would you please outline how low income households will benefit from the state government's decision to provide a further grant over the next four years to Foodbank SA to fast-track new food outlets planned at Edwardstown, Elizabeth and Port Pirie? The reference is Budget Paper 6, page 26.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: During the last state election, Premier Jay Weatherill announced the government's intention to commit $1 million over four years to support the extension of new community Foodbank outlets at Edwardstown, Elizabeth and Port Pirie. This will improve the safety net for those struggling to access nutritious and affordable food. This new initiative will build on the valuable work that Foodbank SA already does, distributing healthy food to groups working with disadvantaged South Australians.

The government, through the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion, will collaborate with Foodbank SA to develop and deliver this initiative. Foodbank has a proven reputation, working with the food and grocery industries, to distribute donated food to welfare agencies. The community Foodbank model allows people presenting for emergency food relief the opportunity to receive a Foodbank SA voucher and redeem it within a community Foodbank outlet. This approach allows recipients to shop in a dignified manner. It offers choice and it provides much greater value for money.

The community Foodbank model is currently operating in the Bowden community. Through partnership arrangements in place at this outlet, Foodbank SA provides additional support services to address the underlying issues that the recipient is facing. The government's investment to support the establishment of additional outlets will enable improved accessibility to these services for people residing in Elizabeth, Edwardstown, Port Pirie and surrounding areas. I am confident that the establishment of the community Foodbank outlets in these additional locations will have significant benefits for those who reside in those communities by improving access to vital services.

Dr McFETRIDGE: I refer to the same budget reference on screening programs. In Budget Paper 3, page 44, it shows, over the forward estimates, $14 million coming in from revenue for screening services. Was a social benefit analysis undertaken before the decision—the announce and defend decision—was made on increasing the fees and, if not, why not?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Thank you for the question. I think one of the things we should consider is why the screening unit has become more of a focus and more of an expectation of risk assessment. That was partly through the Debelle inquiry, which made several recommendations to strengthen screening. I think it was very clear in the recommendations in that report that this is one of a series of aspects that was considered to have a greater focus.

Dr McFETRIDGE: So, really, for the 12½ years that your government has been in power in South Australia, it has only been in the last 12 or 18 months that you have realised that you need to up the screening processes, but in the meantime there has been no assessment or evaluation of the impact of these increases on the NGOs; there was no social benefit analysis. I think if you were to do that there is no argument whatsoever that you would not be increasing these fees; you would be carrying the cost because, like all volunteers and employees, these NGOs return far more than the state can ever pay.

I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 4, page 110, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, APY food security reports. Minister, have you received the third and final food security evaluation report, and what is the current status in relation to assessing and implementing these recommendations?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: There was the APY lands food security strategy 2011-2016, and I acknowledge that the member for Morphett has always had an interest in the APY lands and continues to do so. The strategy required sustained action by state and commonwealth governments, working with APY, to look at structural and systemic problems that stand in the way of achieving food security.

In July 2013, the responsibility for the lead of this strategy was transferred to DCSI for 12 months, and the strategy priorities were redefined to align with the World Health Organisation's framework of essential elements for food security: food availability, food accessibility and food use. During 2013 14, the focus of DCSI's work was on food availability. Building on the findings of previous freight feasibility reports, commissioned by the Department of State Development, Aboriginal Affairs Reconciliation Division (AARD), and recognising the need to work with APY lands stakeholders, it was agreed that Foodbank explore a way of providing lower cost and better quality food to stores on the APY lands.

The department partnered with the commonwealth government to fund the development of a business feasibility plan for Foodbank to consolidate purchasing, logistics and freight functions to deliver food and other goods from Adelaide. The intention of this business plan is to improve food security, through improved freight and logistical arrangements, and deliver fresher, high-quality produce into the stores. The business plan received in June this year identified the need for funding to support the project through a transitional phase. The business plan is being considered by the commonwealth and state governments.

Dr McFETRIDGE: Will the third and final report be tabled in this place or will it be released publicly, with the recommendations?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: The report is due at the end of August, but I will not be the responsible minister, as it will be under AARD. The question would be best directed to that minister.

Dr McFETRIDGE: Can I quote minister Hunter on Monday. He said, 'I can advise that responsibility for food security has been transferred to the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.' That is what he told the Aboriginal affairs—

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: It was as I have detailed: for the past 12 months it was with DCSI.

Dr McFETRIDGE: It was and it is going back again, is it, now?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: That is what I am advised.

Dr McFETRIDGE: So, wait and see. Just on the same issue, the purchase of food security backup generators: how many generators were purchased, how were the locations determined, and why was Pipalyatjara—which the member for Giles and I visited just a few weeks ago, one of the most remote communities in South Australia—not equipped with a backup generator?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I thank you for the question. I do not have the answer and I will take it on notice.

Dr McFETRIDGE: I refer to the same budget reference program, the APY Task Force. Since the task force was established in 2004 there has been about $5 million per annum in services and programs in the APY lands. What is the total budget for the APY Task Force in 2014 and has all this money been allocated to specific programs and projects?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I am advised that the task force is managed by AARD, and we only get a small proportion of that task force money, about $2.3 million.

Dr McFETRIDGE: Once again, I would have to find the exact quote from minister Hunter, but from my recollection (and I do not think I am wrong) he said that the APY Task Force responsibility had been changed across to DCSI. Is that another one with a yo-yo of responsibility?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I do not believe that the task force has been the responsibility of DCSI.

Dr McFETRIDGE: Well, Mr Hunter has some questions then. Moving on—

An honourable member interjecting:

Dr McFETRIDGE: They do not know who is running the show, you are right. Just on a very particular issue, in Volume 1, page 118, Sub-program 7.2: Committee Support Services—the Hackham Community Centre. During the election campaign the Liberal Party promised to fund the Hackham Community Centre with $60,000 a year. Is the state government considering that same offer and, if not, why not?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: The government recognises the important contribution community centres make to the wellbeing of many members of the South Australian community. In 2013-14 DCSI provided $1,702,781 to community centres across the state as part of the Community and Neighbourhood Houses stream of the Family and Community Development program.

The department also provided about $300,103 of funding to Community Centres SA, the peak body for community centres and neighbourhood houses across South Australia. This includes $142,395 of core funding and an additional one-off payment of $157,708 to deliver 'Results Based Accountability' training across the community sector. The peak body provides its members with services, support, advice, advocacy and professional development opportunities.

Junction Australia operates a range of services, including the Hackham Family Connection Centre which has a focus on providing programs and opportunities for families with children aged 0 to 12 who live in the Onkaparinga area. In 2013-14 DCSI provided Junction Australia (formerly Southern Junction Community Services) with $1,738,196 to deliver a range of initiatives including homelessness, domestic violence, youth and parent/adolescent counselling services and programs.

We also support community centres in the southern region. We provided $281,935 of funding to the City of Onkaparinga for its Southern Suburbs Community Centres program for 2013-14. The City of Onkaparinga allocated this funding to its eight council-supported community centres in order to provide programs responsive to community need, with a focus on disadvantaged communities.

Dr McFETRIDGE: I refer to Budget Paper 3, page 38, DCSI concessions. According to the budget papers, there is $194.4 million, over the forward estimates I assume. Is the Concessions and Seniors Information Service (CASIS) working as planned now? I have asked questions before in question time about this, but I want the committee to be certain that that is working properly now, that only valid, eligible concession recipients are in place. What is the status of the clawbacks from the people who were inadvertently paid incorrectly?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Can I get you to confirm again? You have asked me several questions on CASIS in the house. You are specifically asking about the concessions—

Dr McFETRIDGE: Can you tell us how many concessions recipients there are now? How many are you trying to get back the money from of those people who were inadvertently paid, and is this system working as planned now? I forget what the cost was, but it has blown out from tens of millions to hundreds of millions, I understand.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: As you know, CASIS not only involves the development of a new IT system but also substantially revises business processes in dealings with third parties, such as SA Water, energy retailers and local government. The project is driven by two key outcomes: to create a single client view of concessions so that DCSI can ensure that each client is receiving all of the concessions to which they are entitled; and the need to comply with Auditor-General recommendations regarding reconciliation of client payments.

DCSI is now using some of the CASIS functionality to improve the integrity of all concessions data and to enhance data exchange with concessions partners. This identified some variance between departmental records and those held by concession partners.

A major data-matching exercise commenced in mid-2013 to ensure that DCSI, energy retailers, SA Water, Lands Title and Centrelink records matched, not only to determine eligibility but also for other customer details, such as address. DCSI was unable to match 5,173 concession payment records between the total active records in the concessions and rebates tracking system and the files of active concession recipients provided by energy retailers.

As at 11 June, from these records it has been determined that 2,026 customers were entitled to continuing concessions and 987 were ineligible for a concession. As at 11 June, concessions totalling $311,157 were overpaid to 569 of these customers. Of the remaining 418 ineligible customers, DCSI is waiting for further information from energy retailers.

The concessions for the customers who have not responded to two requests to make contact to ascertain their eligibility have been ceased, with an effective date of 28 March this year, as stated in correspondence to them. If the customers believe that they should be receiving concessions, they must now make an application to DCSI to enable assessment of their eligibility. DCSI will seek the recovery of any overpayments made to customers from energy retailers.

Dr McFETRIDGE: On that same topic, minister, I asked you in this house on 18 June, 'Has the final cost of CASIS been settled at $4.5 million, considering that it started at $600,000?' and you could not answer then. Can you give the committee an answer now? That is over a seven-fold increase.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: The total cost of the life of the project (from 2008-09 to the end of the 2013-14 year) for the development of CASIS is estimated at $5.8 million. The initial budget needed to be amended once the full complexity of the system was identified and the scope fully developed. All payments for this project were made within existing resources.

Dr McFETRIDGE: I have one further question. Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 122, Office for the Northern Suburbs. Minister, hasn't the Office for the Northern Suburbs been a waste of money, considering the calls by The Advertiser and others for a minister for the north?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: No.

Dr McFETRIDGE: Can you provide examples of connections, partnerships and collaborations that have developed with the office, and do you think we need a minister for the north?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I feel that the Minister for Automotive Transformation—which has a key focus on the north, given the transition that is happening in relation to moving away from automotive—I believe that within that portfolio she will cover those issues adequately and effectively.

The CHAIR: We now move to the social housing portfolio.

Membership:

Mr Knoll substituted for Dr McFetridge.

Mr Pengilly substituted for Mr Gardner.

Departmental Advisers:

Ms J. Mazel, Chief Executive, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Mr A. Thompson, Executive Director, Financial Services, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Mr P. Fagan-Schmidt, Executive Director, Housing SA, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Ms R. Hulm, Director, Corporate Services, Housing SA, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Ms N. Rogers, Director, Business Affairs, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Ms O. Bennell, Director, Homelessness Strategy, Housing SA, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Mr G. Myers, Principal Coordinator, Strategic Projects Business Affairs, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

The CHAIR: Minister, do you have an opening statement?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Yes, I do. Firstly, I would like to pass on my thanks to my predecessor, the Hon. Tony Piccolo, for his contribution as the previous minister for social housing. Housing is central to the health and wellbeing of families and individuals. The government's goal is for an integrated housing and homelessness sector which supports people in accessing safe, affordable and appropriate housing, especially people who are vulnerable and at risk.

Housing SA's vision, 'Connecting People to Place', defines its strategic direction as supporting people to maintain their housing, and helping them to connect with their communities. The Housing SA Blueprint, released in 2013-14, outlines a number of areas of rapid change in the current environment which are driving significant change to our services. When considered collectively, these areas of people, policy, funding, and services create a compelling case for change.

Over recent years the profile of people living in social housing or waiting for housing and homelessness services has changed, with increasing levels of complexity and vulnerability. A variety of housing options must be available to meet these changing needs.

Changes in client circumstances have necessitated a change in policy. Our policies seek to ensure that our highest subsidised services are targeted to those with the greatest need. Housing SA's ongoing viability and the resilience of a multi-provider social housing system are reliant on an appropriate funding model. We will continue to work with our national counterparts to negotiate a more sustainable framework.

As well, Housing SA's services have expanded, with a majority of its clients assisted through private rental support—more than 30,000, compared to 2,500 new public housing tenancies. I would like to note a number of key achievements over the past year. The Better Places, Stronger Communities reform package is progressing, with a transfer of around 1,100 public housing properties to the community housing sector, the amount for the first half of 2015. Two community housing providers have been selected to each manage these areas. Households affected by the transfer have been individually contacted and consulted and will continue to receive extensive support and information in the lead-up to the transfer.

In August 2012, South Australia committed to participate in the National Regulatory System for Community Housing Providers under the Community Housing Providers National Law. This national system was developed to align regulatory practice across all jurisdictions and assist in growing the community housing sector. In November 2013, the South Australian parliament passed the Community Housing Providers (National Law) (South Australia) Act 2013, and the act came into operation on 1 April 2014.

The construction of properties funded through the $50 million Affordable Housing Stimulus Package announced in June 2013 are well underway. All are on track for completion by the end of 2014. This government has committed significant funding towards the construction of new disability-specific dwellings to address current unmet need and prepare for increased demand, which we anticipate as a result of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Eight properties funded through the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan disability project achieved practical completion during 2013-14, with all 90 dwellings for people with disability due for completion by the end of 2014. Another significant achievement was the establishment of Access 2 Place Ltd to provide disability-specific tenancy and property management for social housing assets.

With funding through the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness, we have continued to provide support to the most vulnerable members of our community through the provision of homelessness services. The state government has recently signed a new partnership agreement for 2014-15 matching the commonwealth's offer of $8.87 million for a further one year. This will enable us to maintain current levels of service provision in the homelessness sector.

However, as minister I am deeply concerned that the commonwealth has not confirmed funding past 2014-15. Unfortunately, our process of redesigning the existing homelessness sector must therefore commence to accommodate reduced funding in the 2015-16 financial year. We will continue to make our concerns known with the commonwealth in this critical area of government investment.

The next 12 months will therefore continue to be both challenging and exciting in the social housing portfolio. We are growing community housing, developing new affordable housing supply options, transforming our services to make it easier to access housing, and strengthening the sustainability of our multi-provider sector.

Before I conclude, I would also like to speak on the issue of Clovelly Park. There is obviously a high level of public interest and concern on these matters. Since 2008, Housing SA has been acting on the advice of the EPA and SA Health with regards to its properties in the area, any risks to the health and safety of tenants and any action that should be taken. In response to the draft VIRA Report, senior executives met on 6 June to consider options and subsequently advised their ministers of possible agency responses. I was notified of the possible agency responses on 11 June, with a formal briefing being given to me by my department on 16 June.

At a further meeting on 19 June, the senior executives agreed that a strategy be developed to allow for the coordinated and orderly relocation of residents over the next six months as a precautionary measure, recognising there was not an immediate risk to residents.

The process for both communicating with affected residents and relocating them was formalised and agreed to by officials on 25 June. The government agreed to the proposal which would see residents notified. Relocation is always a possibility when site contamination has been identified, but the decision to adopt this precautionary approach was only made after extensive consideration of all advice, including that from SA Health, the Environmental Protection Authority and Housing SA.

On the 2^nd and 3^rd of July 2014, Housing SA tenants and other residents in the affected area were visited by representatives of the EPA, SA Health and Housing SA advising that an orderly relocation of tenants on Chestnut Crescent and the northern side of Ash Street would take place over a six-month period commencing mid-July. Housing SA has committed dedicated resources to work with tenants and to assure relocation occurs promptly and as smoothly as possible.

All 23 affected households have been given the highest priority for relocation, and have had individual meetings with Housing SA staff with regards to their preferences, needs and concerns. There are currently 39 people residing in the 23 Housing SA properties affected. These residents are a diverse group, including nine children, with the average age of the adult residents being around 48 years. There are nine residents over 60 years of age, with four of those being elderly people in their 80s.

This is an established community, with six residents having lived in this area for around 25 years. I have also extended an invitation to any tenants within the area identified for relocation to speak with me directly. I will continue to be available to individual tenants. As of 22 July, I am advised that 10 tenants have indicated their wish to move to an alternate accommodation as soon as possible. Another 10 have indicated their preference to relocate over the next six months, and three tenants are currently reluctant to relocate.

Housing SA expects to commence making offers of alternative accommodation in the next week. The government, through Housing SA, will meet the reasonable cost of relocating residents, including assistance with packing household contents, skip bins for disposal of unwanted goods, the relocation of household contents, and utility reconnection fees.

Ms SANDERSON: My question is referring to Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 113: Social housing. What is the total number of people that were housed, and that were on the Housing SA waiting lists for 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15, and if that could be broken down into each category? How many of those were aged 25 years or under?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Can I just clarify; you said how many were housed, how many on the waiting list?

Ms SANDERSON: That is right; for each category for the three years mentioned, and if you do have the breakdown of how many were under the age of 25.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Let me just go through detailing the categories: category 1 on our waiting list is people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; category 2 are people with high needs; and category 3 are people with housing affordability issues. The average wait time for allocations to category 1 is eight months. You asked me about the waiting list, and I have the totals here: as at 31 May 2013-14, there were 21,306, and—

Ms SANDERSON: Is that the total?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: On the waiting list, that is the total. In 2012-13, the waiting list total was 21,298. You have asked for the breakdown in the categories. I have in front of me the current breakdowns on the waiting list as at 31 May. On category 1, there were 2,971. On 30 June 2013, to compare the two years, there were 2,424. On category 2, as of 31 May this year, there were 6,120 applications and, at the same time last year, there were 6,341. On category 3, once again on 31 May this year, there were 12,129 applications compared with 12,446 applications last year. Sorry, you asked how many are housed?

Ms SANDERSON: Yes.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: The details I have for you are in regard to the 11-month period from 1 July 2013 to 31 May 2014. There were 2,047 allocations: category 1, 1,767; category 2, 184; and category 3, 95. It appears we do not have the information on the previous years. Would you like me to take that on notice and come back to you?

Ms SANDERSON: Yes, that would be great, thank you, minister. Also, if possible, it does not have to be by category, but could you provide the total of people under the age of 25 who were on the waiting list, if that is separated out at all.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: We will also take that on notice.

Ms SANDERSON: Thank you. On Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 113, how many Housing SA properties are currently vacant?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I think I took this on notice in the house.

Ms SANDERSON: That is right, and I have not received an answer.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Are you asking me the same question again?

Ms SANDERSON: I did not get an answer in the house.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: No, because I took it on notice and would write back. The number of vacancies available for rental as at 31 May is 909.

Ms SANDERSON: Has Housing SA reintroduced rent and occupancy reviews and, if so, what were the outcomes of those reviews?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I do not have that detail, so I will pass over to Phil.

Mr FAGAN-SCHMIDT: We have an ongoing program of rent reviews. There is automatic updating through a data exchange arrangement with the commonwealth government and Centrelink which allows for automatic updating for the majority of our tenants. We also have a systematised review that allows for updating, where information includes things other than rent and changes in household structure, and that is just a regular part of our business.

Ms SANDERSON: Is that once a year or is there a set time period?

Mr FAGAN-SCHMIDT: I am happy to advise on the second part. The first part—the adjustments to Centrelink—is on a six-monthly basis, so the adjustments in that automated process will occur on a six-monthly basis. The CPI adjustments to our rents are six-monthly.

Ms SANDERSON: To the minister, how many Housing SA tenants are on permanent contracts? I believe the system now is that they are put on for a certain amount of years—three, five or 10—but, prior to that new policy, how many are still permanent?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Are you seeking the number who pre-1983 have lifetime tenure?

Ms SANDERSON: I guess, the people who are still there now who have the lifetime tenure.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I am advised that those people who are on the two, three, five or 10 are on the permanent contracts. We do not have those details, and we will take that on notice.

Ms SANDERSON: So, there is no-one on a longer term than 10 years? Everyone is now on a time period?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Phil will provide some detail around that, although we do not have that specific figure for you.

Mr FAGAN-SCHMIDT: There are really three natures of tenancies that we have. With the majority of our tenants we have honoured the conditions of tenancy as they have gone in, and there are almost three different categories. There is an early category that effectively had tenure for life and had a particular set of rights associated with it that are probably more akin to rights you might experience in home ownership, particular rights that were established in part through common law principles. That then changed in the mid-1950s to a more traditional tenancy arrangement, but it was still not a fixed-term tenancy arrangement, and then a couple of years ago we moved so that all new tenants now move into fixed-term tenancies.

They commence with a probationary period. At the end of the probation, they will be offered a fixed term that relates to their need and circumstances. Part of what we are trying to achieve here is to meet people's needs at the point in time, not necessarily assume that those needs will remain long term—they may be able to enter the employment workforce and the like—and also to give us an opportunity to extend probation if that tenancy does not work out in relation to what we ask tenants to do, which is really around paying the rent, looking after the property, being a good community member.

Ms SANDERSON: I believe there are about 45,000 Housing SA houses. I am wondering if it is possible to come back to the house with a breakdown of the three categories: how many would be in the life, how many would be in the change that was in the mid-1950s and now on fixed contracts?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Certainly. I can tell you that at 31 May our lettable stock was 41,693, and we can base that information on that figure.

The CHAIR: Are there some questions on my right? Member for Torrens.

Ms WORTLEY: I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 114. Minister, how is the state government assisting people living in social housing to reduce household electricity bills?

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The CHAIR: Order!

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: During the state election, the government announced two initiatives to support people living in social housing to reduce their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions and provide a means of reducing household cost of living. To extend the benefits of lower utility cost to people living in social housing, the state government is providing $5.5 million for the replacement of 1,000 electric and LPG hot water systems in large family homes with solar hot water systems.

This will help tenants reduce their energy bills, as well as their cost of living, estimated to be up to 30 per cent on current energy bills. This replacement of electric hot water systems with solar hot water systems will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by almost two tonnes per annum.

Housing SA is currently identifying properties suitable for solar hot water systems, targeting large family homes with multiple occupants and taking into consideration a range of other factors, including site orientation of the dwelling. Once suitable dwellings are identified and the supply of hot water units confirmed with the supplier, Housing SA will develop a project plan to arrange the installation of the units.

During the state election, the government also committed to pilot a solar panel scheme in public housing to reduce electricity bills for tenants. Up to 200 homes will be selected for the trial and, if successful, the scheme will be introduced more broadly to include up to 5,000 homes over the next five years. Under the pilot, Housing SA will identify suitable dwellings and consult with the occupants.

The tenants in the identified houses will then have the option to voluntarily enter into an agreement, such as a power purchase agreement or other similar commercial deals with a selected solar company. Under these agreements companies install and maintain the solar system without an up-front cost and the occupant makes payments based on the electricity that is generated.

Following advice and consultation, a specification will be designed and a public request for a proposal called for the provision and installation of 200 solar systems. Subject to specific approvals, primarily related to roof structure and orientation, Housing SA currently allows tenants to install solar systems on their rental dwellings at their own cost once they enter into a deed of agreement. Between June 2011 and 14 July 2014, Housing SA approved 303 deeds of agreement.

Mr HUGHES: I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 114. Can the minister advise the committee about the domestic violence facility in the western suburbs and the services provided by Housing SA to assist clients affected by domestic violence?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: The construction of a supported accommodation facility for domestic violence services in the western suburbs was completed in April 2014. The facility will provide accommodation for up to seven women and their children at any one time. The facility will be run by the western branch of the Central Domestic Violence Service, and is custom designed and purpose-built, providing security for tenants with a residential amenity. It provides supported on-site accommodation for women, and their children, experiencing domestic violence or Aboriginal family violence.

There are also administrative facilities, counselling rooms, education, and training spaces. Support will be provided through a comprehensive case management system which has a holistic, systems and strength-based approach to engage clients. Case management services include in-centre and outreach support, early intervention, post crisis and homeless children support. The facility was constructed with $3.1 million of commonwealth government funding, which was provided through the Crisis Accommodation Program.

Ms HILDYARD: I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 114. Can the minister provide an update on the implementation of the $50 million affordable housing stimulus package, which was announced in the 2013-14 state budget?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: The government announced the affordable housing stimulus package in the 2013-14 budget, where $50 million was made available through commonwealth government debt forgiveness as a result of savings in interest and guarantee fees. The package includes $20 million for a capital grant program for community housing providers to deliver 130 new rental properties and $30 million for a social housing investment program to construct a total of 108 dwellings on South Australian Housing Trust land, of which 21 per cent will be suitable for tenants with disability and 35 per cent will be constructed in regional locations.

Legal agreements have been finalised, with nine community housing providers approved for funding, and land has been secured for 130 dwellings to be constructed under the Community Housing Capital Grant Program. As at 31 May 2014, seven dwellings have been completed, 73 are under construction and the remaining 50 are contracted. All 130 dwellings are scheduled for completion by the end of December 2014.

Housing SA, on behalf of the South Australian Housing Trust, is responsible for managing the delivery of the social housing investment program. One hundred and four new social housing dwellings will be constructed, targeting category 1 applicants on the waiting list who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness. Four dwellings will be constructed for children living with disability. The program will also provide a significant financial contribution towards the purchase of land and the construction of eight dwellings in Lightsview for people living with a disability.

Through a competitive procurement process, contracts for 104 of the dwellings have been awarded and four disability dwellings are at the planning stage. As at 31 May, construction commenced on 90 dwellings, while 14 dwellings were to commence by 30 June. The remaining four dwellings will commence by 31 December. It is anticipated that five dwellings will have achieved practical completion by 30 June, while 99 dwellings are scheduled for completion by 31 December. The remaining four dwellings, along with additional dwellings at Lightsview, will be completed by 30 June 2015.

Ms SANDERSON: I refer to page 113. Can the minister please explain why no attempts at remediation, re-use or rebuild have been undertaken on the properties in Clovelly Park that have sat empty for up to five years?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Thank you. I will ask Phil to detail this.

Mr FAGAN-SCHMIDT: If I can just clarify the first point about vacant properties, there are six properties that have remained vacant. However, two of those properties are associated with the Unity Housing development. In 2009, the advice of the EPA and Health was that, within the complex owned by Unity, testing indicated that as a precautionary measure there should be tenant relocation.

So, Unity, which owns those properties under a debenture, undertook the relocation. There were two properties there that originally passed the EPA tests or for which no unreasonable levels of contamination were found. However, in testing later on, EPA and Health found levels above an acceptable level and advised Unity not to tenant those. I think the first point is that those two properties date back to the Unity Housing circumstance.

The other four vacant properties then—all of them have been vacant for no period of time. The earliest vacancy occurred on 1 March 2013 and then there were subsequent vacancies on 22 March, 24 May and 28 February. Those four vacancies are vacancies that really were under the management of Housing SA, and those vacancies occurred at the time that there was a fair bit of activity in terms of testing and further testing. Just prior to that there had been various advice that had come from Monroe's about testing and further testing and a local decision was taken within Housing SA to not re-tenant those, really for three reasons.

The first reason, I guess, is that, given the nature of our tenants being vulnerable, when a whole lot of testing was taking place, for tenancy management reasons, we chose not to offer a long-term tenancy there. Secondly, for property tenancy management purposes, there are costs associated with vacancy management, so we wanted to understand where the testing was occurring. Thirdly, around that time there had been some communication with Monroe's, who were talking about funding a remediation experiment, I guess, to see if ventilation of properties in situ was possible. We felt at that time—again, a local decision—that it was prudent to not re-tenant those, but I would point out those decisions date back about 16 months, not any period longer than that.

Membership:

Mr Marshall substituted for Mr Knoll.

Mr MARSHALL: Who made the decision not to re-tenant? Was that an executive decision or was it a ministerial decision?

Mr FAGAN-SCHMIDT: The delegation for that decision was at a local regional manager level. So, it was a local regional manager who made that for local operational reasons.

Mr MARSHALL: So the first that it became available was in March 2013?

The CHAIR: Through the minister.

Mr MARSHALL: I was asking the minister.

The CHAIR: The minister can indicate if she wishes.

Mr FAGAN-SCHMIDT: The data that I have from our mainframe shows that the first of those four properties, if you are talking about the vacant properties, was on 1 March 2013.

Mr MARSHALL: So when the announcement was made on 2 July or 3 July there were only four Housing Trust properties that were vacant?

Mr FAGAN-SCHMIDT: There were four Housing Trust properties, plus the two properties that were previously owned under a debenture arrangement by Unity and which had been returned, or the debentures had been lifted as a result of the conclusion of the management of that stock by Unity Housing.

Mr MARSHALL: How many people remain on the priority 1 waiting list for Housing Trust homes at the moment?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: We have already covered that.

Mr MARSHALL: Okay. It just seems an extraordinary number, minister, to keep six properties vacant when you have so many people waiting for a house.

The CHAIR: Is that a comment or a question?

Mr MARSHALL: Do you think it is acceptable to keep six properties vacant, some of them going back to March 2013, when you have so many people waiting for a house in South Australia?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I think that it was obviously an operational matter and an operational decision made at the local level and—

Mr MARSHALL: Did they make the right decision?

The CHAIR: Hang on, the minister is still answering the question.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I am aware of the waiting list numbers. The waiting list is handled between categories 1, 2 and 3, with category 1 being at risk of homelessness. I support the decision that was made on 1 March.

Mr MARSHALL: What were the reasons they were made?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: That has just been covered, I feel.

Mr MARSHALL: But you just said that you are supporting the decision. Why are you supporting the decision? What are the reasons you believe that those houses should have been kept vacant?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: The decision was obviously made at a local level and it has been outlined that there was considerable testing happening at the time and the operational decision was made that it was best for them to remain vacant at that time.

Mr MARSHALL: Minister, what plans do you have to ensure that once people have vacated those Housing SA properties—I think by the end of this year—that this will not turn into a ghetto and we will not have a repeat of what happened in Mead Street at Birkenhead, where squatters moved into those homes? What precautionary practices will you put in place?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Obviously, when the tenants relocated, questions had been asked about that. We will talk about a few different options that are available and I will ask Phil to detail what they may be.

Mr FAGAN-SCHMIDT: Yes, the situation with this form of contamination is that, as you are aware, the science has evolved over a recent period so there is no clear textbook that EPA and Health can give us on how to completely remediate it. I think the first point we have to recognise is that we are in a period where we are all working as best we can, like many modern cities that have an industrial past, to find solutions.

It is our intent to focus on the tenants that we need to relocate for the next six-month period. When we have completed those relocations we will then focus on remediation and redevelopment options. We are aware that an earlier offer was made to trial or tests some remediation where there is ventilation under the slab. This would be an experimental approach and in an experimental approach clearly we would seek to do it in a couple of houses and then test it for a period of time under the guidance of the EPA and Health to make sure that there was no health risk.

I would also point out (and I think this is fortunate in some ways) that James Brown has recently completed a development which in fact was a redevelopment, and part of the reason they redeveloped was because of the age of the previous stock. They undertook quite a different approach which was to establish a new membrane, with the advice of EPA and Health, which meant there was no ability for any vapours to move through there. I have spoken to the CEO of James Brown and he has explained a little to me about how they have gone about it and has offered for us to look at that approach.

In summary, it is experimental. We will focus immediately on the tenants and, at the end of the tenants, we will focus on options to remediate or redevelop. This area is valuable for us. We are a property owner, like many other property owners in the area, and we have an important social responsibility. We will be looking to do what we can early in the new year to redevelop or remediate to bring properties back into proper tenancy situations.

Ms SANDERSON: Page 113 still. Can the minister please explain how it took until May this year to receive the results from tests conducted for TCE in November 2013 when the industry standard is five to 10 working days for results (or 48 hours if you pay more) and most companies shut for only one week over Christmas.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: That is a question that will be answered by the Minister for the Environment.

Ms SANDERSON: Can the minister please advise whether there is a memorandum of understanding between the minister, the EPA and the health department for ongoing testing in the areas affected, similar to that of the Port Pirie lead implement program that tests lead levels in children through blood testing?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I am advised that there is not an MOU. There are working arrangements. I do not have any detail of formal arrangements. In regard to Port Pirie, can you repeat the essence of your question?

Ms SANDERSON: In Port Pirie, there are concerns of contamination due to lead, and in Clovelly Park, there are health concerns due to the contamination of TCE. You mentioned earlier that there were nine children living in the area. Do you have plans for health checks and to follow those through over time to see how those children and adults are faring, similar to what occurs in Pirie, where they keep an eye on it and check?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: That is a question best answered by the Minister for Health.

Ms SANDERSON: Thank you. Are Housing SA staff and contractors mandatory reporters and, if not, do you have plans to make them mandatory reporters?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Housing SA staff are mandatory reporters. Can I clarify your question: it was in regard to—

Ms SANDERSON: Also to contractors. What I am trying to establish is: when Housing SA or contractors go in to do a review of a home or to make repairs and they notice that there are children living in squalor, which potentially could be signs of neglect, would they then report that on so that their families and the child protection unit would be aware of that?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I am advised that, at this stage, we do not believe that the contractors are mandatory reporters, but we will take that on notice and come back to you with further detail.

Ms SANDERSON: I refer to page 114, Social Housing, stock transfer. What is the current status in relation to Manitoba, Playford and Pope Court properties as far as transfer of Housing SA stock to Renewal SA? Have these properties now been returned to Housing SA stock, and can the minister confirm that these properties will not be redeveloped?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: They never did leave the South Australian Housing Trust. At this stage, there is no intention to develop those sites.

The CHAIR: Final question, member for Adelaide.

Ms SANDERSON: Can the minister provide a detailed breakdown of the debt position of Housing SA client debt (I was given a total, in question time, of $21.8 million, but I am unsure of the breakdown), and how much of that debt was written off as bad debts in the 2013-14 year?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: We have multiple causes for debt increasing, including: water charges, because we did some increase in the last financial year; and increases in private rental assistance, both the amount of assistance provided and the rising value of bond guarantees; and the reintroduction of annual home visits, which identifies more tenant charges for damage.

We have had some increases in water charges and private rental assistance. We note that that the Private Rental Assistance Program comprised about 21.3 per cent of the debt. There are 14,192 clients with an outstanding debt, and these include current Housing SA tenants, ex-tenants and people who have received bond assistance. I think that your question was about the specific breakdown of that debt?

Ms SANDERSON: That is right. I have part of it that was given, but I do not have the full amount. I am happy for you to take that on notice.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: We will take that on notice.

Dr McFETRIDGE: Thank you, Chair. Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 113, and the minister's opening statement about contamination at Clovelly Park. Minister, do you think that the environmental contamination and exposure to residents at Clovelly Park is a public health issue? Are we talking about a public health issue here?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: That question is best directed to the Minister for Health and the Minister for the Environment; I believe they have given quite detailed answers in their estimates.

Dr McFETRIDGE: Do you personally think that it is a public health issue?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I will be advised by the EPA on public health.

Dr McFETRIDGE: So, you have no thoughts on it?

The CHAIR: That is three questions; so that being the final question for this section, we will now move to the Multicultural Affairs portfolio.

Membership:

Mr Pisoni substituted for Ms Sanderson.

Mr Speirs substituted for Mr Knoll.

Mr Tarzia substituted for Mr Pengilly.

Departmental Advisers:

Ms J. Mazel, Chief Executive, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Mr A. Thompson, Executive Director, Financial Services, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Ms S. Wallace, Executive Director, Policy and Community Development, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Mr P. Bull, Executive Director, Youth Justice, Community Engagement and Organisational Support, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Mr G. Myers, Principal Coordinator, Strategic Projects Business Affairs, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

The CHAIR: Minister, would like to make an opening statement?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Thank you. South Australia has been built upon successive waves of immigration, and from the earliest days of white settlement this has included diverse cultural groups. Over the years, although the sources of migration flow have changed, a great commonality remains: people come to South Australia with hopes and aspirations, seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Together, these immigrants have helped build the South Australia we have today—a colourful and diverse community enriched by the differences and with an outstanding level of community harmony.

Multicultural SA has an important role in supporting and promoting an open, inclusive, cohesive and equitable multicultural community across our state. There are currently over 200 different cultural groups in South Australia which underlines the complexity of the area in which multicultural SA functions. For example, some of the long-established migrant groups, such as Italians and Greeks, have an ageing demographic. Therefore, ageing issues are of great concern to them. More recently arrived groups include many who are fleeing violence and persecution.

One of the key tasks of Multicultural SA is to manage the multicultural grants program. This government has continued to increase the funding available for multicultural grants to support community groups to promote and share their culture. From $75,000 a year when we came into office in 2002, the grant program has been gradually increased, including by $50,000 in 2013-14, to $650,000. In 2014-15, $1 million will be made available for multicultural grants, delivering on the government's election commitment to increase grant funding by $350,000 per annum.

Under the program there are a range of funding opportunities, including major festivals, performance grants and one-off grants. Major festivals funding is provided to identify multicultural and ethnic organisations that deliver significant and established annual festivals.

Performance grants provide funding to increase ethnic community participation in major public events so that culturally diverse communities can feel and be seen as active members of the broader community. The most significant funding available under the Multicultural Grants Program is through one-off grants, with funding provided to community organisations to develop and strengthen multicultural communities.

The process for organisations seeking funding from the multicultural grants program changed to an online system in November 2013. In addition, the program guidelines were revised, with removal of fixed opening and closing dates for applications. Therefore, organisations are now able to submit their applications at any time of the year, with grants made available four times a year. Over the 2013-14 financial year, funding was provided to approximately 200 community organisations for festivals, events, equipment and furniture, cultural awareness programs, and education and learning projects.

The CHAIR: Minister, can I just ask you to hold on. If the noise in the gallery continues, we will have to ask you to leave the gallery; we just cannot hear down here. I am not sure who is up there, but if you could just keep the noise right down or perhaps leave the gallery while you are talking. Thank you, minister.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Access and equity guidelines have been developed by the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission (SAMEAC) in consultation with Multicultural SA to support state government agencies to embed the principles of access and equity into their programs, services, information and policies. They will apply to agencies that provide direct services to the public and any employee or agency that engages and communicates with the broader community. The guidelines contain strategies which constitute best practice in supporting access and equity in the areas of communication, program and service delivery, policy, accountability, human resources and leadership.

In November 2013, the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion hosted South Australia's inaugural Multicultural Festival in collaboration with the Migrant Resource Centre of South Australia, the Adelaide City Council and a wide range of community groups. The festival was extremely successful, providing an opportunity for many smaller and newly-arrived communities to showcase their culture to a broad audience.

Interest in the festival from both culturally and linguistically diverse communities and the general South Australian public was high and undoubtedly helped build community awareness and understanding of diverse communities. The multicultural community values the support of the government of South Australia, not only through the grants but through the presence of elected officials at many community events throughout the course of the year.

Finally, I note that it has been a great privilege for me as a new minister to meet and share with so many groups across our community. I know the support of elected officials is very valued by our multicultural communities. Personally, it has been enriching for me to have the opportunity to speak with so many South Australians and learn their cultures and traditions. I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of my predecessor, the Hon. Jennifer Rankine, in this regard.

Mr PISONI: My first question relates to FTEs.

The CHAIR: What page?

Mr PISONI: This is on Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 120. Are you able to advise whether Vicki Antoniou is still working the department of multicultural affairs?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I am advised she is not.

Mr PISONI: Did she leave of her own will?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I understand that when there was a change of government she went back to her substantive position in the Attorney-General's Department.

Mr PISONI: I take you to page 95 of that same document. There is an office accommodation consolidation amount there of $403,000 that was unbudgeted for in the estimated result. Can you advise what that was for?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I understand that it is budgeted for, and I reflect that in the 2012-13 estimated result, which was in last year’s budget paper, $650,000 was reported for this project. Of that amount, $247,000 was spent in 2012-13 on the Chesser House fit-out, $143,000 was classified as operating expenditure, and the balance of $403,000 was carried over into the 2013-14 year, of which $9,000 was expected to be spent.

Mr PISONI: Is Chesser House still used for Multicultural SA?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Yes; I am advised it is used by SAMEAC, but also by other members of the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion, including some Housing SA staff.

Mr PISONI: How many staff in total are using Chesser House?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: You are asking for Multicultural SA staff? I am advised about 55 in total.

Mr PISONI: Fifty-five staff over various departments? How many in the Riverside office?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I have already answered questions for Communities and Social Inclusion. Are you specifically asking—

Mr PISONI: You do not have any Multicultural SA staff in the Riverside office?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: My apologies. I am advised that approximately 16 Multicultural SA staff are located there, but I would like to take that on notice and come back to you with a detailed response.

Mr PISONI: Did you say there were 55 in Chesser House? That is more than Multicultural SA staff. How many Multicultural SA staff are in Chesser House?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: You are asking how many are Multicultural SA staff in Chesser House?

Mr PISONI: Yes; we have established that there are 15, I think you said, in Riverside, so how many in Chesser House?

The CHAIR: I will just check if there are any questions on my right.

Ms HILDYARD: Yes.

The CHAIR: As soon as we have finished here, we will go onto the member for Reynell.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I will get the chief executive to talk you through the split of staff.

Ms MAZEL: We have a combination—the Chair of SAMEAC is in Chesser House, and then there are three support staff supporting him. In addition to that, the rest make up a total of about 55; the rest of them are from Housing SA.

Ms HILDYARD: I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 121. Can the minister advise what action is being taken by the state government to improve service delivery to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Thank you for the question. South Australia's population is characterised by the wonderful diversity of cultures, languages spoken, religious affiliations and heritage. This is part of what makes our state a great place to live and work.

The Access and Equity Guidelines for a Multicultural South Australia were drafted by Multicultural SA in consultation with the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission. The guidelines aim to ensure that state government agencies are accountable for the provision of services which are designed and delivered in a manner which is responsive to people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and result in equitable outcomes for all.

The guidelines contain 27 strategies that constitute best practice in supporting access and equity in the areas of communication, program and service delivery, policy accountability, human resources and leadership. Key strategies include:

promoting services in culturally appropriate formats, media and relevant languages;

providing appropriate and accessible information about the rights of people from CALD backgrounds;

developing and interpreting a translation policy to ensure appropriate access to professional interpreting and translating services;

collecting and using information to assist in planning and delivering evidence-based programs and services; and

consulting with CALD communities and client groups when developing policy and regulations.

The intent is for state government agencies to adopt all of the strategies in the guidelines into their practices over time, thereby improving their service delivery responses to people from CALD backgrounds. Agencies will be encouraged to self-assess their performance against the indicators and identify measures to address areas requiring further development.

SAMEAC and Multicultural SA will support agencies to use the guidelines by offering advice and providing online resources, including fact sheets that outline elements of best practice. They can also provide assistance in assessing whether their policies, processes and culture support access and inclusion for people from CALD backgrounds. I am currently reviewing the guidelines and anticipate they will be released in the near future.

Ms WORTLEY: I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 120. How does the state government work with multicultural organisations to share their culture with others in order to promote community capacity and community harmony?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I thank the member for her question. During 2013-14, approximately $950,000 in state government funding was provided to multicultural community organisations through a range of initiatives. The multicultural grants program provides funds to multicultural and ethnic community organisations to:

increase understanding of the culturally diverse community in which we live;

celebrate and value cultural diversity;

improve quality and acceptance in society; and

increase participation by South Australians of all backgrounds in our society.

In 2013-14, the multicultural grants program budget was increased from $600,000 to $650,000. The increase was due to savings achieved from the realignment of Multicultural SA within the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Over that financial year, a total of $668,705 was provided to approximately 200 community organisations for festivals, events, equipment and furniture, cultural awareness programs and education and learning projects. The additional $18,705 provided in grants was sourced from unspent grant funding returned by community organisations.

The 2013 Multicultural Festival, which was held in Rundle Mall on Sunday 3 November 2013, showcased and celebrated multiculturalism in South Australia. The festival included 40 performing groups and 34 stallholders, representing 66 culturally and linguistically diverse community organisations representing 50 different ethnicities.

The stalls showcased art, craft and food, and the performances included dance and music from around the world. This was a highly successful day, with over 80,000 people attending. Multicultural SA provided a total of $18,029 in 2013-14 to support this event, with the Rundle Mall Management Authority providing $15,000 in sponsorship.

Multicultural SA administers a land tax relief grant that provides grants to eligible multicultural for-profit community organisations to cover the cost of their land tax bill where they can demonstrate that paying their land tax will cause financial hardship. These grants enable organisations to spend their money on services to their communities rather than on land tax on their property. A total of $40,220 was provided in land tax grants in 2013-14.

With respect to not-for-profit multicultural organisations, from 1 July 2013 they have been able to apply to Revenue SA for an automatic ongoing exemption from land tax. Recurrent funding of $272,000 was removed from Multicultural SA's budget in 2013-14 due to the replacement of the Land Tax Relief Grant Scheme for not-for-profits with the land tax exemption. In addition, Multicultural SA provided several grants and contributions totalling $230,460. Organisations that received funding in 2013-14 included:

Ethnic Broadcasters Inc. that received $22,000 to support the 2013 Radiothon;

Migrant Resource Centre of South Australia that received $25,000 to assist it to build functional independence in community organisations servicing or representing new and emerging communities;

Multicultural Communities Council of SA that received $125,000 to cover the reasonable costs incurred in undertaking its core activities;

National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters that received $52,460 as the state's annual contribution to the national body established to set, maintain and promote high standards of translating and interpreting and to implement a national quality assurance system; and

TAFE SA that received $6,000 as Multicultural SA's contribution to support the delivery of the Women's Leadership Course.

I am delighted to say that I was able to attend the graduation and it was a fantastic event with a great diversity of women. In 2014-15 Multicultural SA will allocate approximately $1,274,000 in grants and contributions. This represents an increase in the amount of grant funding allocated in 2013-14 as a result of the commitment by the government to provide additional funding of $350,000 per year to support more projects, events and activities in our multicultural communities.

Mr HUGHES: I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 121. Can the minister advise how the state government is contributing to the development of the National Settlement Framework to improve services and settlement outcomes for migrants in South Australia?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: In 2012-13 the South Australian government and other jurisdictions contributed to the drafting of a national settlement framework by the Council of Australian Governments Select Council on Immigration and Settlement. The aim of the framework is to provide a common set of guiding principles and focus areas to improve services and settlement outcomes for immigrants. In particular, it is envisaged that the framework will strengthen coordination of settlement-related service delivery within and across jurisdictions.

The work of the National Settlement Framework was due for release in mid-2013 but was delayed due to the federal election in September of that year. The commonwealth government has recently announced that it will continue to support the development of a national settlement framework. In March 2014 the Hon. Kevin Andrews MP, Minister for Social Services, invited Sue Wallace, who is to my right, as the executive director responsible for Multicultural SA to join the Senior Officials Settlement Outcomes Group.

This group will finalise the National Settlement Framework and will engage in key settlement issues. The first meeting of the Senior Officials Settlement Outcomes Group was held on 2 May 2014 at which a revised National Settlement Framework which incorporates comments previously received by jurisdictions was considered. In 2014-15 the South Australian government will continue to work with other jurisdictions to finalise the National Settlement Framework which is anticipated to be released in August to September 2014.

Mr PISONI: I will take you back to page 120 regarding FTEs. How many of those FTEs operate within the Interpreting and Translating Centre?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: In 2013-14 actual full-time equivalents employed by the Interpreting and Translating Centre include nine full-time in-house staff and over 300 casual interpreters and translators who undertake at assignments equivalent to 24.3 FTEs.

Mr PISONI: And they are included in the 57 FTEs?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Yes.

Mr PISONI: How many of them work on a casual basis or contract basis for other translating companies?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I do not have that information.

Mr PISONI: Well, they have to seek permission to do so.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I will need to take that on notice.

Mr PISONI: A memo was written by Con Sgoutas in December 2011 outlining the services of ONCALL. That memo for Joslene Mazel and Roger Lean explains that ONCALL had a contract to provide translating services, but that on 31 May 2011 ONCALL Interpreters and Translators agency ceased trading. It was unable to trade out of its debt, as it was incurring $500,000 a week in debt. This happened because the ATO had determined that the contractors that it was hiring were entitled to full superannuation, long service and other entitlements.

They appealed that decision, and that appeal was unsuccessful, and they had debts of $5 million. This memo went on to explain the details of that and the major reasons for the weekly loss being incurred in the ATO ruling, enforced by the courts, and losses of $4.5 million from a subsidiary company called Deep Seas Fisheries. The memo goes on to explain that they invested $4.5 million in a fishing farm in Turkish Cyprus. Is it appropriate for a government that has been so supportive of the Greek Cypriot community to be in business with the Turkish Cypriots who invest in Turkish Cyprus?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I am sorry, the nature of your question is that you are asking about a company that we have a contract with and how they invest their superannuation fund?

Mr PISONI: There is more to it, but what I have explained so far is that the company was running at a loss and was wound up, and it was then repurchased by the same directors, and their debt was wiped.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Through the ATO?

Mr PISONI: No; they could not claim it because the company did not exist anymore. The memo to the chief executive at the time states:

Many South Australian-based interpreters and translators who were former employees of the On-call Interpreters and Translators Agency Pty Ltd have lost some or all of their employee entitlements. A high percentage of those are also casually employed by the ITC as public servants.

The edit from the administrator's report states that they lost $4.5 million investing in a fish farm in Turkish Cyprus, and the director was a Turkish Cypriot. The question that I am asking you is whether it is appropriate for a government that has been so supportive of Greek Cypriots to be in business with Turkish Cypriots.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: In regards to the superannuation debt, which you touched on, I understand that it totalled $6 million and that has now been fully repaid to the Australian Taxation Office. In regards to where they have invested their superannuation fund, that would be a decision of the board members of that company, and I have no further comment.

The CHAIR: We could probably refer this to the Speaker to give you a ruling on. I ask you to move on to something a little bit more constructive.

Mr PISONI: If you do not mind, Chair—

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Which budget line does this relate to?

Mr PISONI: This refers to expenses and it refers to employees. Your own memo says that public servants from your interpreting service were also working on contract for this organisation. There was a recommendation that the contract be reviewed: 'It is recommended that legal advice is sought from the Crown Solicitor's Office before the state government decides to cease using ONCALL.' I have invoices that go up until June last year for services from ONCALL. Are you still using ONCALL for interpreting services?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I am advised that we are still using their services. I am also advised that the memo that you refer to—there is no record of any such memo. In fact, Multicultural Services SA were part of the Attorney-General's Department and not DCSI in December 2011.

Mr PISONI: I will go back to you as the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Is it appropriate for a government that has claimed to be so supportive of the Greek Cypriot community to be in business with Turkish Cypriots?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I have answered that question.

Mr PISONI: You have not, no; you have not said yes or no.

The CHAIR: She is giving you the answer she is giving you, so do you want to move on to another question, member for Unley? The member for Hartley.

Mr TARZIA: We are grateful for the support that your ministry gives to community groups. You spoke of 200 that are supported by grants, or thereabouts.

The CHAIR: What page are we on?

Mr TARZIA: Sub-program 7.3: Multicultural Services.

The CHAIR: Page 120.

Mr TARZIA: Agency Statements, Volume 1, but it is quite broad. I am happy for you to take this on notice: could you please provide a list of the community groups and the amount of money that they received via grants throughout the year? I understand that there will be a lot, so I am happy to take it on notice if you like.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I do not have the full list, but I am happy to discuss some of those that we do:

Adelaide and Metropolitan Malayalee Association, towards the cost of venue and equipment hire for the 2013 Onam was $5,000—this is 2013-14;

Adelaide Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samitee Incorporated, towards the cost of venue, equipment, bus hire and kitchen utensils, $1,400;

Associazione Molisani Adelaide South Australia Incorporated, towards the cost of hall hire, pamphlets and posters for the Australian Briscola Championship, $1,000. I note that both the member for Unley and yourself attended their annual winter feast the other Sunday;

Australia Day Council of SA, towards the cost of workshops to assist three ethnic community organisations to make props for the 2014 Australia Day Parade, $4,000;

Australia-Sri Lanka Association, towards the cost of hall hire, lighting and sound equipment for the ASLA Calypso Family Night, $1,500;

Badenya Association of South Australia, towards the cost of hall hire for the cultural performances for the Mandingo Cultural Songs and Dance Initiative, $1,500;

Chinese Welfare Services of South Australia Incorporated, to the cost of venue, tables, chairs and sound equipment for the Yuan Xiao Festival, $1,500;

Ethiopian Community Association of South Australia, towards the cost of venue and equipment hire for the Ethiopian New Year Celebration and Cultural Show, $2,600;

Grandparents for Grandchildren SA Inc., towards the cost of marquees to support cultural performance at the Grandparents Day Event, $1,500;

Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia Incorporated, towards the cost of printing, marketing and exhibition for the 2013 Adelaide Hellenic Cultural Festival 'Odyssey', $8,000; If I remember correctly, the member for Unley and I both attended that event;

Hungarian Club of SA Incorporated, towards the cost of venue and bus hire for the 15^th Australian-New Zealand Hungarian Cultural Convention, $3,000;

Iraqi Families United of South Australia, towards the cost of equipment hire and decorations for the Together for Iraq event, $1,800;

Islamic Student Society of the University of Adelaide, towards the cost of cultural activities for the Islam Awareness Week 2013, $750;

Jewish Community Services Incorporated, towards the cost of the exhibition for the 70^th commemoration of the escape of the Jewish internees from the Sobibor Internment Camp during World War II, $4,950;

Karenni Community of South Australia, towards the cost of insurance, office equipment and flags, $1,500;

Laziza Festival Incorporated, towards the cost of equipment hire for the Mediterranean Festival, $6,230;

Malaysian Club of South Australia Incorporated, towards the cost of promotional material and cultural decorations for the Rasa Sayung Malaysian Cultural Night, $1,200;

Maltese Returned Services League Sub-branch, towards the cost of venue hire for three annual events, $1,700;

Malual Community Association of Australia, towards traditional costumes, $1,200;

Pooraka Farm Community Centre, towards the cost of advertising for their community cultural day and birthday celebrations, $1,000;

Port Lincoln Tunarama, towards the cost of transport, freight and venue hire for the Cultural Inclusion Project at the festival, $2,000;

Salisbury Town Centre Association, towards the cost of equipment hire for the Salisbury City Centre Multicultural Music and Food Festival, $1,500;

Serbian Film Festival, towards the cost of venue and equipment hire for the 2013 Serbian Film Festival, $1,000;

Somali Bantu Community Association of Australia, towards the cost of equipment and venue for the 2013 Eidul Adha Celebration, end of Ramadan, $1,700;

South Australian German Association, towards the equipment hire costs for the 2014 Schutzenfest, $20,000;

South Eastern Liberian Association of Australia Incorporated, towards the cost of hall hire, cultural materials and instruments for the Liberian Cultural Celebration and SELAA first anniversary celebration, $1,200;

Surf Life Saving South Australia, towards the On the Same Wave program, $2,250;

Tao Phung Indochinese Elderly Association of SA, towards the cost of equipment hire, advertising and decorations for the 20 years anniversary of the Tao Phung Indochinese Elderly Association of SA, $1,500;

Tatar-Bashkurt Association of Australia Incorporated, towards the cost of venue and equipment hire and promotion of the Tatar Sabantui Festival, $1,500;

Teo Chew Association of South Australia Incorporated, towards the cost of hall and equipment hire for the Chinese Full Moon Celebration, $1,500;

The Society of St Hilarion Incorporated, towards the cost of equipment hire for the St Hilarion Feast Day 2013, $2,000;

Timorese South Australia Students Group, towards the cost of hall and sound equipment hire, flagpole and stand, decorations for the Proclamation of Independence Day and graduation celebrations, $1,500;

Ukrainian Women's Association of South Australia, towards the cost of venue hire and advertising for the 2013 Ukrainian Festival, $1,500;

Wec Nyin Australia Incorporated, towards the cost of venue hire for the cultural show, $2,500; and

Working Women's Centre, towards the cost of props for the World of Women Choir project, $750.

Thank you for asking that question. As you can see, the grants were quite diverse. I do not understand that that is a full detailed brief and there could be more. The full list is published on the web page.

Mr PISONI: Are you able to advise whether on-call translating services are still being used and, if so, can you provide the total value of invoices for the 2013-14 year?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Can I just touch on a previous question. I mentioned a memo and I said not to Jos Mazel; a record search located a memo sent to Roger Lean by the then business manager of Multicultural SA, in 2011. I just wanted to clarify that.

Mr PISONI: So that memo does exist that warns the government about consequences of continuing a contract with ONCALL?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: It was in the Attorney-General's Department; it was not directed to the CEO.

Mr PISONI: But it was specifically for Multicultural SA. It was an email that was sent to Roger Lean from Con Sgoutas, for Multicultural SA that described the events, and that was sent on 8 December 2011. That was an abridged version, if you like, of the report.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I will ask Joslene Mazel to give details on that one.

Ms MAZEL: We are not able to locate that minute having been sent to me, but we do have a record of it having been sent to Roger Lean but, again, that was in December 2011, when multicultural affairs was in the Attorney-General's Department.

Mr PISONI: Yes, but it is still multicultural affairs; it does not matter where it is sitting now. This questioning is about multicultural affairs, so consequently it still relates to multicultural affairs. You are going to come back to me with a list of the value of contracts or do you have that there?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Yes. Can I clarify: that was invoices for ONCALL use?

Mr PISONI: Yes, on-call and other contracted translation service providers.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Yes, we will take that on notice.

Mr PISONI: When was the department advised that employees had been reimbursed their superannuation entitlements, and was the state government reimbursed all payroll tax entitlements?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: I will have to take that on notice.

Mr TARZIA: I will get the omnibus questions out of the way, Chair. There are seven questions here.

The CHAIR: The member for Hartley.

Mr TARZIA: The questions are:

1. Will the minister provide a detailed breakdown of expenditure on consultants and contractors above $10,000 in 2013-14 for all departments and agencies reporting to the minister, listing the name of the consultant, contractor or service supplier, cost, work undertaken and method of appointment?

2. For each department or agency reporting to the minister in 2013-14, please provide the number of public servants broken down into heads and FTEs that are (1) tenured and (2) on contract and for each category provide a breakdown of the number of (1) executives and (2) non-executives.

3. In the financial year 2013-14, for all departments and agencies reporting to the minister, what underspending on projects and programs (1) was and (2) was not approved by cabinet for carryover expenditure in 2014-15?

4. Between 30 June 2013 and 30 June 2014, will the minister list the job title and total employment cost of each position with a total estimated cost of $100,000 or more—(a) which has been abolished and (b) which has been created?

5. For each year of the forward estimates, provide the name and budget of all grant programs administered by all departments and agencies reporting to the minister and, for 2013-14, provide a breakdown of expenditure on all grants administered by all departments and agencies reporting to the minister, listing the name of the grant recipient, the amount of the grant and the purpose of the grants and whether the grant was subject to a grant agreement, as required by Treasurer's Instruction No. 15.

6. For each department or agency reporting to the minister, what is the budget for targeted voluntary separation packages for the financial years 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18?

7. What is the title and total employment cost of each individual staff member in the minister's office as at 30 June 2014, including all departmental employees seconded to ministerial offices and ministerial liaison officers?

The CHAIR: Member for Unley, do you have a final question?

Mr PISONI: Yes. I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 121, Financial commentary. Can the minister advise why the Lieutenant-Governor has moved into the Department of the Premier and Cabinet?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Until August 2013, Multicultural SA provided support to Mr Hieu Van Le in his role as Lieutenant-Governor as well as Chair of SAMEAC. In the interests of clear governance arrangements, and to avoid any confusion about roles and responsibilities relating to the two positions that Mr Le holds, a realignment of the functional responsibilities took place. Under this realignment, the Department of the Premier and Cabinet assumed responsibility for support to Mr Hieu Van Le in his role of Lieutenant-Governor, while Multicultural SA retained responsibility for support to Mr Le in his role of Chair of SAMEAC.

Mr PISONI: What was the cost of the support to the Lieutenant-Governor for 2013-14?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: This is for the Department for the Premier and Cabinet, or for my department?

Mr PISONI: For your department.

The CHAIR: And that is your final question, member for Unley.

Mr PISONI: Thank you.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: The full year budget impact of the transfer in 2014-15 is $186,000 and 1.5 FTEs.

The CHAIR: That being the final question for the session, I thank the minister and her advisers for their attendance. We now move on to the portfolio of Office for the Ageing.