Department for Communities and Social Inclusion, $1,015,896,000

Administered Items for the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion, $190,374,000

Membership:

Ms Chapman substituted for Mr Goldsworthy.

Minister:

Hon. G.E. Gago, Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers.

Departmental Advisers:

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

Ms F. Mort, Director, Office for Women, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Mr N. Ashley, Acting Executive Director, Financial and Business Services, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

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

Ms A. Francis, Acting Manager, Policy, Office for Women, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Mrs A. Barclay, Chief of Staff.

Ms G. Lewis, Ministerial Adviser.

The CHAIR: I welcome the Minister for the Status of Women. I will not go over all the rules again. I gather we have all done this before and we have been here this morning. We will take a flexible approach for asking questions. Supplementary questions will be the exception rather than the rule, and we will keep it to about roughly three questions per member, alternating each side. I will allow opening statements of up to 10 minutes from the minister and the lead speaker for the opposition, the deputy leader.

I declare the proposed payments open for examination and I refer members to Portfolio Statement, Volume 1, and I now call on the minister to make a statement if she wishes and to introduce her advisers.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I would like to introduce my advisers. To my far left, Mr Nick Ashley, Acting Executive Director, Financial and Business Services, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion; Ms Joslene Mazel, Chief Executive, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion; and on my right is Ms Fiona Mort, Director, Office for Women, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion. Behind me we have Ms Nancy Rogers, Director, Business Affairs, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion and Ms Annie Francis, Acting Manager, Policy, Office for Women. Seated behind them are my advisers, Ms Ann Barclay, Chief of Staff, and Ms Genevieve Lewis, ministerial adviser.

I will make, by way of introduction, a very brief opening statement if I may. The last 12 months have seen some significant initiatives and achievements for women in South Australia. As Minister for the Status of Women, I am proud of this government and its continued focus on women and its commitment to ensuring that South Australia is a safe, equitable and inclusive community for all women.

I am very proud to say that we are the best performing state for women's representation on government boards and committees in Australia, with nearly 48 per cent of positions held by women. We have successfully implemented a new format for the State Aboriginal Women's Gathering in 2014-15 with the replacement of one metropolitan event by three single day events held in various regions. The gatherings for 2014-15 were held in Port Augusta, Adelaide and Mount Gambier.

In February 2015, I launched the Edith Dornwell Internship for Women in STEM, a scholarship to assist women who have undertaken university education in STEM degrees to transition into jobs in the industry. This exciting opportunity will be offered every year for the next three years.

In October 2014 the Premier released Taking a Stand, responding to domestic violence, a policy outlining the South Australian government's response to the Coroner's recommendation regarding the death of Zahra Abrahimzadeh.

Three direct policy responses are outlined in Taking a Stand. Commencing on 1 July 2015, the Women's Domestic Violence Court Assistance Service will provide a greater level of support within the court system for victims of violence by providing assistance to help women deal successfully with court systems and increase their access to justice. The Domestic Violence Response Review, originally called the Early Warning System, was introduced in January 2015 and it provides a circuit-breaker in instances where a domestic violence service provider does not believe the most appropriate response to their client's situation has been received or implemented. The equal opportunity commissioner is leading the White Ribbon Workplace Accreditation Process, which I understand is progressing well, and will be finalised in the second half of 2016.

It has been an exciting year in 2014-15 for the Women's Information Service seeing the institution, which turned 37 on 8 July, moving to its new location. WIS is now located with the Office for Women on the ground floor of 101 Grenfell Street in the city. In 2015 WIS also developed the South Australian Body Image Campaign to educate girls and young women that their value comes from their character, from within, skills and attributes, and not their weight or shape.

The Premier's Council for Women continues to provide advice across government on issues affecting women in South Australia. The council has seen a change of co-chairs with the appointment of existing member, Ms Christine Zeitz, and new member, Amanda Blair, from 1 July 2014. I believe you will agree that this short summary certainly does highlight the significant progress made in a number of areas in the status of women portfolio for 2014-15.

The CHAIR: As the lead speaker does not have an opening statement, we will go straight to questions.

Ms CHAPMAN: I think pages 98 and 99 of the agency statement, Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, have been identified but, if they have not, I indicate they are the pages I will be referring to. In the opening description the objective of the division is, of course, the ongoing support to maintain the Premier's Council for Women, which, in the absence of any statement to the contrary, I assume is going to be continuing. I think you have just indicated that two new members are proposed to be appointed and, certainly, that is to be commended. I also note in the descriptors the continuing priority in addressing violence against women.

My first question is in respect of the Premier's Council for Women and the government's progressing of the recent amendments to the intervention orders which primarily, of course, protect women and children. Did the Premier's Council for Women provide any advice to you or the government in respect of that reform?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: No, the Premier's Council for Women did not offer any advice in relation to amendments to intervention orders. However, quite a broad stakeholder consultation was engaged in at the time, and those changes were in response to the DV sector's concerns about how those orders were operating and how they could be improved. We have obviously sought to implement those changes.

Ms CHAPMAN: Having not provided any advice, were they asked to give any?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: No. I think we go over this every year in estimates, in terms of the way that the Premier's Office for Women operates. As you are aware, the council provides independent advice and it determines where that might be relevant. It does not see itself as providing advice on every single issue relating to women. That would not be practical or sensible.

So what they do is identify and establish priorities and develop specific strategies for achieving the work that they believe they are best placed to conduct and focus on—obviously, that is also in line with our South Australian Strategic Plan, our strategic priorities and, of course, our economic priorities—and also, with the ability they have and the skill sets that they have at a particular given time, to advocate and influence change.

The co-chairs of the council advise me on the PCW's actions and proposed actions, particularly those that align with our key strategic areas, as I said. They review their priorities from time to time, and I know that I have reported here in estimates before, and also in parliament previously, the fairly extensive process they have undertaken in the past to review their priorities and the areas around which they intend to focus activity and engagement .

Ms CHAPMAN: Noting your independence minister, which I entirely respect, and having confirmed that they had not provided advice or had a reference sent to them to, I suppose, alert them to the fact that it was there, your understanding is that in the consultations you have had with them on their actions and proposed actions over the last year that had not been included.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: As I have indicated, the government does not generally—certainly in my time—ever give a reference, as you refer to it, to the Premier's Council for Women. That is not how we operate. I know that in every single estimates we go through this again and again. I have outlined how they determine their strategic focus and their activity of work and how they go about doing that—

Ms CHAPMAN: Minister, if I might just interrupt, I think we are at cross purposes. I am not suggesting that you either should or did; I am asking you whether, in the consultations you had with PCW—and you have indicated that you meet with them and they outline to you their actions and proposed actions—in the last 12 months, was there any indication from them of their intention to review the law in relation to intervention orders?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: No.

Ms CHAPMAN: Okay, that's fine. In relation to the sex work legislation—which is the perennial that comes before the parliament, it seems, and which is with us again—in the preceding 12 months in which you have met with the PCW, had they had listed any recommendation or independent advice, as is outlined here, in respect of sex work reform in their actions or proposed actions list?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I understand you wrote to them. I have not sought advice from them and they have not proffered any advice in relation to sex work, and neither has the council offered any advice in relation to previous sex worker legislation. However, I understand that you wrote and sought comment—

Ms CHAPMAN: Yes; I do every year.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: —on the bill. I understand that the council's response outlined their support for all women having the right to be safe at work regardless of their chosen occupation and, as such, indicated support for any legislative changes that ensured that outcome.

Mr HUGHES: Also on pages 98 and 99, can the minister please advise on the progress of South Australia's body image campaign and what action is being taken to address body image issues amongst young girls in South Australia?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Mission Australia's annual national survey of young Australians has consistently found that body image is one of the top three concerns for young Australians. The survey reported that 45.4 per cent of young South Australian females, and 52.1 per cent nationally, identified body image as being a major concern. That compares with 13.3 per cent of young South Australian males.

In the lead up to the 2014 state election, the South Australian Labor government committed to a body image campaign with the goal of building self-esteem in young women. Launched on International No Diet Day (6 May), the digital campaign aimed to inspire girls aged between seven and 12 to build their self-esteem, to love their bodies and to realise that their value comes from their character, skills and attributes, not their weight and shape.

The digital media campaign was inspired by a campaign run by New York City called the NYC Girls Project. The Office for Women, through the Women's Information Service (WIS), partnered with the YWCA of Adelaide to hold three workshops to support the creation of digital content for young women aged between 13 and 18, and additional workshops were held.

Peer education is regularly used in a variety of contexts to help influence the social environment, provide positive role models and help change social norms. Recognising that most social media sites do not allow children under 13 to join, WIS ensured content was created that their parents could share with their social media network and view with their daughters aged seven to 12 to encourage discussion.

Links to information sources for parents, particularly sources such as The Butterfly Foundation and SA Health, were also posted. To encourage broader involvement in the campaign and to highlight the key message that character, skills and attributes matter more than size, weight or shape, girls and women from around South Australia were all encouraged to create their own 'inner selfies'. These are pictures that tell a story about themselves and are symbols that represent their internal characteristics.

The women of Roxby Downs in particular embraced their inner selfies. They did some great work, which they posted. Officially running for about six weeks, pieces of the campaign content were highlighted through the Women's Information Service social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Campaign content was posted and shared by WIS and content was posted and shared by other accounts using various campaign hashtags.

Ms CHAPMAN: Evidence given by the Attorney-General yesterday in Estimates Committee A provided information as to his views on what he might do with the ever accumulating funds in the Victims of Crime Fund. You probably read about it in the paper this morning. One of his ideas to advance the protection of victims of domestic violence was to consider programs that he might apply for or seek to vary legislation to accommodate, including programs for offenders in respect of their future (hopefully) improved behaviour.

Firstly, in respect of any programs or initiatives for domestic violence, or the prevention thereof, has the proposal been a subject of discussion between you and the Attorney in relation to accessing the Victims of Crime Fund?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: We have had discussions about that on and off for quite some time. For instance, the recent initiative that we announced, the court assistance support program, is a program that has been funded through the Victims of Crime Fund. There have been numerous discussions over the years, but I certainly welcome and embrace the fact that he is considering further programs to be funded from the Victims of Crime Fund. I think there are obviously a number of areas in which it could be used, perpetrator programs being one.

There is some great work currently being done by ANROWS, looking at the best practice perpetrator programs, and I think that information from ANROWS will help guide us as to what the most suitable programs might look like. We know that a lot of people have been doing lots of work in this area but the outcomes have been quite mixed, so I think that work that ANROWS is doing will be vital in informing us in terms of the best use of public money for investing in those perpetrator programs and getting really good outcomes. We look forward to that.

Ms CHAPMAN: How much money per year is being allocated for the Domestic Violence Court Assistance Service?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: We just announced it recently.

Ms CHAPMAN: I am asking the per year.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Yes, I know. It just escapes my memory but I think we have it here. It is $340,000, I am advised.

Ms CHAPMAN: Per year?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Per year.

Ms CHAPMAN: Is it applicable for all courts—that is, Magistrates Court and Federal Family Court?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Not Family Court, no.

Ms CHAPMAN: Only Magistrates Court?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Yes.

Ms CHAPMAN: In the city or in the regions as well?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: It is a statewide service, I am advised.

Ms CHAPMAN: Statewide?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Statewide.

Ms CHAPMAN: Of all of the programs that you have discussed with the Attorney, this is the only one which has resulted in your getting any money out of the Victims of Crime Fund?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: There are funds from the Victims of Crime Fund that continue to fund some administrative support for our Family Safety Framework.

Ms CHAPMAN: And how much is that a year?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: $114,000 a year.

Ms CHAPMAN: That is to provide the administrative support to that program?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Yes.

Ms CHAPMAN: When did that commence?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Some time ago. A number of years ago. It has been around for some time. We will find out the exact year, but it has been around for quite some time.

Ms COOK: I refer you to page 99. Can the minister please advise of the progress of the programs announced by the Premier in the Taking a Stand policy to reduce violence against women and their children?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Everyone in the community has a right to live safely, free from all forms of violence and abuse. Violence against women and their children is a major and enduring social issue which exacts a terrible price on many women and children across South Australia every day. Eradicating violence against women, including domestic violence and sexual assault, is a top priority for the South Australian government.

In October 2014 the Premier released Taking a Stand. It is intended that the policy will support and protect victims of domestic violence. It reiterates the South Australian government's strong message to the community that domestic violence is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. The three direct policy responses outlined in Taking a Stand involve the Women's Domestic Violence Court Assistance Service, which I have just been talking about, so I will not go into any detail. It assists women to deal successfully with court systems and increase their access to justice and involves legal officers providing support and advocating on behalf of women who have had, for instance, difficulty applying for an intervention order or reporting a breach of an intervention order. It is a free service, it is confidential, and they obviously work very closely with police prosecutors.

The Domestic Violence Response Review is the second initiative. The state government has introduced an early warning system, known as the Domestic Violence Response Review, which provides a circuit-breaker in instances where a domestic violence service provider does not believe there is an appropriate response. It is designed to increase accountability and provide an escalation point where there have been processed flaws or gaps in the response of a government agency to domestic violence.

The third is the White Ribbon accreditation. It is well-recognised that workplaces play a really important role in preventing violence against women and, as such, as part of Taking a Stand, all South Australian government departments will obtain White Ribbon workplace accreditation and build on existing domestic violence workplace policies, as I said, in all government departments.

In the White Ribbon accreditation program, you become accredited to prevent men's violence against women, drive social change and refine support offered to employees who are victims of violence. The government will also work with the private sector to encourage similar initiatives, and discussions are underway with institutions like TAFE SA and our university sector.

Ms CHAPMAN: Minister, now that you know that there is an accumulation of some $40 million a year into the Victims of Crime Fund, is it your intention to present to the Attorney and/or the Treasurer any other domestic violence or other worthy women's programs for funding?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: We have had many discussions over the years.

Ms CHAPMAN: Is it your intention, now that you know that there is $40 million a year, accumulating every year, to present some more?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I am well aware of how much is in those funds and, as I said, we have had many discussions over the years.

Ms CHAPMAN: Is it fair to say that, apart from the ones that you have mentioned—one which has been operating for a number of years but a more recent one, both of which I am sure are very worthy—the situation is that you have put up proposals for others and they have been rejected, or that you just have not put them up?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: These are matters that proceed through cabinet, and I am not about to discuss what has or has not been through cabinet or any other budgetary process.

Ms CHAPMAN: All I am asking is whether it is your intention to promote the funding of some of these worthy projects from that fund.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: As I have indicated, I really welcome the Attorney's comments to look at further initiatives for funding in relation to domestic violence from that particular fund. I will continue to engage with him, and I will continue to promote in every way activities and initiatives to help eliminate violence against women and children.

Ms CHAPMAN: I do not doubt that, minister. Have you been putting up projects that have been rejected?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I have already answered the question.

Ms CHAPMAN: Of the funds that are there and are being applied, one of them was for the court assistance. I just want to clarify. That actually applies in each of the statewide Magistrates Courts, so what is the situation there? Is there somebody on duty every day, or how does that work?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: These are very detailed operational questions.

Ms CHAPMAN: As you have got the very important person sitting next to you who runs them, I am sure she can tell us.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: If you stop interrupting, I might be able to listen to an answer. I have been advised that it involves a number of solicitors and other legal counsel that are based here in the city with the Victim Support Service office. They are available five days a week, Monday to Friday, and they are available to provide assistance statewide.

Ms CHAPMAN: So, these are legal practitioners who are present at the court, who are there already but who you support the funding of. Is that right?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: They are present at the Victim Support Service office, and then they go out to and attend court where it is appropriate and where they are needed.

Ms CHAPMAN: So, how do people know that they are there, to get access to them? I appreciate it is only a new program.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I am advised that the Victim Support Service has been funded to provide and operate the program, and they also promote the program as well.

Ms CHAPMAN: I am sure they do, but do you know how they do it? How does an actual constituent—somebody who is turning up to court and is about to sit there with the prosecutor and seek to have an interim or permanent intervention order made, for example, and who might be looking for some support do that—how do they know what to do? Is it only by direction of some court officer? How does that work?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: For instance, these are usually victims who have had some interface with our domestic violence services, and our domestic violence services are all well informed of this new service operating of assisting and referring those women who might need that assistance to the Victim Support Service.

Ms CHAPMAN: Isn't the Victims of Crime services—you are referring to the Victim Support Service—already providing that to the profile of constituent that we are talking about?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I do not understand the question; they are providing the court assistance service?

Ms CHAPMAN: Correct, to them already?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: No.

Ms CHAPMAN: The officers who are there from the Victim Support Service—

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: These are additional services and they have brought in additional staff and legal counsel to assist.

Ms CHAPMAN: So they are dedicated staff to provide the service, is that what you are saying?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: They may or may not be.

Ms CHAPMAN: That is what I am asking.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Well, I am answering; they may or may not be. It could be a combination of a specific designated person or it could be someone who works 0.5 in this service and 0.5 doing some other legal assistance with that particular service to other clients. It is not necessarily a group of staff members who are only involved in the court support services; it could be a combination of both. These are additional court support services that have been put in place and made available to victims of domestic violence.

Ms CHAPMAN: I am sure that for those who have access to it, or at least some advice from the personnel that you are referring to, whether they are dedicated or taking it on as an extra responsibility, is very valuable. But $300,000 odd a year is not a lot of money for across the state, for the courts that operate every week day across the state in this space. I am happy for you to give an example, say, in relation to the Adelaide Magistrates Court, where I know there is a Victim Support Service office or room down there where there is somebody on duty at least in the mornings, as I recall. How does this extra money operate, for example, in that court? Or do you just hand the money over to them and then they just report back to you at the end of the—

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I have already answered the question in terms of these additional funds being made available to the Victim Support Service to provide additional legal counsel to victims of domestic violence, and I have already described in detail how those resources are allocated and managed and how that service is provided. Of course, that is in addition to WIS, which provides a volunteer court support service as well. So, that certainly complements that wonderful work that WIS has provided through their volunteer support network for many years.

Mr PICTON: I refer to pages 98 and 99 of the same budget papers. In terms of the Premier's Council for Women, a key focus is obviously working with the corporate sector to implement practical strategies to promote women in leadership and gender equity. Could you please update us on the work of the council?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: It is with great pleasure that I provide even further detail on the Premier's Council for Women and the marvellous work that they do, providing leadership and advice to ensure the interests of women are at the forefront of government policies and strategies. There are two new co-chairs, as I have outlined, and the council includes 10 members who are all influential women with expertise in a range of areas such as disability, education, business, law, social policy, agribusiness and media.

In the recent review and reforms of the South Australian government boards and committees, the functions of the council were deemed essential and not able to be performed through other means. The council has recently finalised its work plan after undertaking a statewide online survey in 2014 to identify the key issues which concern women in South Australia.

The statewide survey undertaken identified five top areas of concern for women in South Australia, and they included violence against women and safety, women's health and wellbeing, employment and work, economic disadvantage and financial security, education and training. The results of the statewide survey were published online and are available on the website. The council's work plan for 2014 through to 2018 focuses on four priority areas: connecting women in South Australia; violence against women; workplace flexibility; and women in leadership.

The council continues to be committed to addressing inequities between women and will continue to advocate on particular issues of importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and, of course, women with disabilities.

Since the recent reforms to state government boards, which involved repositioning and auditing the function of SASP within government, the council is committed to maintaining a focus on women and gender differentiation with respect to the statistics garnered through SASP and also the seven strategic priorities and economic priorities.

The council has also recommended that the Premier continue to support strategies to improve conditions for women in the workplace and to increase the representation of women, particularly in non-traditional areas of employment. They recommended that the Premier continue to engage all industry and community sectors in developing strategies to promote women in leadership.

It is worthwhile noting that in June 2015 one of the council members, Maria Hagias, a longtime worker and campaigner around combatting domestic violence, was selected as South Australia's representative on the Council of Australian Governments' Domestic Violence Advisory Panel. We are very pleased and very proud to have her on that panel, and I am sure that she will do a wonderful job.

The CHAIR: Thank you, minister. Member for Bragg.

Ms CHAPMAN: The Introduction to Governance training course, for which 25 scholarships have been offered, is a one-day training opportunity with the Australian Institute of Company Directors. What is the monetary value of each of these scholarships, and who determines who is successful to have them and what criteria are the basis of selection?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: While we are finding the detailed response, I have to say what a wonderful success these scholarships have been. The number of women who have participated and who have been recipients of those scholarships who have come up to me and personally told me their compelling story and the difference that having the opportunity to undertake that sort of leadership program has made to their life and to their careers is really incredible.

We have obviously focused our attention on those women of disadvantage who might not have access to that sort of leadership course. On 21 August, the Office for Women held board training for 25 women, facilitated by the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

The Office for Women managed the application process, and the applications were assessed by a panel that included the Equal Opportunity Commissioner, a representative of Multicultural SA and one of last year's scholarship recipients, who is also a member of the Youth Affairs Council of South Australia. More than half of the participants were women living in regional areas of South Australia.

Two women aged under 25 and five women aged 60 and over were awarded scholarships. In 2014, scholarships were also given to three Aboriginal women, seven women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and two women with disability. These fully funded scholarships are being offered by the South Australian government for women who attended the highly regarded introductory level governance training delivered by the Australian Institute of Company Directors. It is $11,000 total.

Ms CHAPMAN: I would hope so—$11,000 each for a day's seminar would seem a lot. The other question I asked was: what are the criteria? I think from what you were saying that some kind of loading was given on the basis of a disadvantage test.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Women located in regional areas where access was an issue, very young woman, Aboriginal women, culturally and linguistically challenged women, and obviously those people who express a desire to go on a board.

Ms CHAPMAN: I am sure it is an applicant process on that basis. Are these largely women who are not employed or who are who are employed in the public sector? How does somebody find out about this?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I understand that we promote it widely through our website and other key women's groups and associations, and I understand that we are always inundated with applications, so we receive a lot of interest in those positions.

Ms CHAPMAN: So, for example, of the last 25 years (I am not sure how many years it has been operating), how many were employed in the private sector?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: We would have to look that up, but I don't think we actually collect that data. We can try to find it.

Ms CHAPMAN: For the purposes of doing the criteria assessment on the question of poverty alone you would identify whether they had an income or what industry sector they might come from?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: No, we do not. It is not income means tested. The criteria are not about where they are employed but about their being disadvantaged through location, being placed in regional areas where it is more difficult to access these sorts of courses, Aboriginal women, culturally and linguistically diverse women, older women and very young women as well. They are the key criteria.

Ms CHAPMAN: So, if you are a young woman and live at Port Augusta on a very substantial income, you would not be excluded?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Not necessarily.

Ms CHAPMAN: The Edith Dornwell Internship for Women in STEM: what is the percentage of female participation that currently exists in the STEM's workforce in which you are supporting the promotion of employment? What is the percentage of female participation currently in respect of the STEM's workforce of each of those areas? My understanding is that, on reports, 55 per cent of a number of the STEM studies already are women.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: It is interesting, because although women complete more tertiary study than men now (more women are graduating), there still continues to be a consistent lack of women undertaking STEM-related degrees. Of the 2.7 million Australians with high-level STEM qualifications, I am advised that 19 per cent were women, compared with 60 per cent of non-STEM fields. Obviously we are attracting and retaining more women in the STEM workforce; trying to maximise innovation, creativity, competitiveness, etc., is something we are working on. It is also interesting to note that the transition from study to employment is one of the key points where women drop out of STEM.

Statistics show that 23 per cent of workers in South Australia are employed in STEM occupations of which 42 per cent are female but employed in the allied health areas. So 11 per cent of the STEM workforce is in prime STEM fields such as science and technology, but only 12 per cent are female, and that is obviously why we have developed the Edith Dornwell Internship for Women in STEM (which was back in February of this year) to provide one woman each year for the next three years with three months' full-time or six months' part-time full-paid employment with an organisation whose focus is on STEM.

Mr HUGHES: On page 98, one of the Office for Women's roles is participation of women in social and economic life. Can the minister advise how Aboriginal women are being empowered and supported in South Australia?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Since 2002, the Office for Women has convened an annual State Aboriginal Women's Gathering (SAWG). This important event enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to share their experiences and issues from their communities, to meet and network with other Aboriginal women from across South Australia, and be informed about key issues affecting them and their communities.

The new format of the gathering, as I have indicated, began in 2014-15 with the replacement of a single metro event by a number of one-day events held in different locations. The first event was held in November 2014 in Port Augusta, the second in the northern metropolitan area of Adelaide on 13 March, and the third and final gathering took place in Mount Gambier in May this year.

The Office for Women wants more Aboriginal women to engage with gatherings. Taking the gatherings to women in their own communities indicates a strong commitment from the Office for Women in wanting to hear from those living in communities about their issues and experiences; to exchange information; and to develop solid communication links between metro and regional-based women within South Australia. We will continue to conduct those in alternate locations.

A LinkedIn group has been established to provide a forum for women to network and share information. I attended the gathering held in Salisbury North to meet delegates. It was interesting because I also had the chance to hear at that meeting from the recently appointed South Australian board representative of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Alliance (NATSIWA), Ms Vicky Welgraven. She provided us with a great presentation about her personal journey but she also outlined some of the possibilities of better linking our state women's gathering to this national network, which I think would give a much greater voice to that group, and those discussions are currently underway.

Ms CHAPMAN: What is the percentage of women working in your ministerial office?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Very high. I think I have only got three blokes—it is very high.

Ms CHAPMAN: What is the percentage of women working in the Premier's office?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: You would have to ask the Premier that.

Ms CHAPMAN: Do you keep an eye on the gender balance profile in ministers' offices?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I keep an eye on all matters to do with gender balance.

Ms CHAPMAN: Are you happy with the percentage of gender balance in the other minister's offices?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I am not happy with the level of gender balance here in South Australia right across our society and right across our institutions. I think we can do much better. There is still significant underrepresentation of women, in particular in senior positions and leadership positions, and that permeates most levels of our community and I continue to be a strong advocate to improve that balance, particularly here in parliament, for instance.

Ms CHAPMAN: Has it improved over the last year, the increase in gender balance in ministerial offices?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I have not kept exact numbers of the office but my sense is that there has been an improvement.

Ms CHAPMAN: Apart from Ms Mazel, of course—

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Certainly there have been on our boards and committees. We have worked very hard.

Ms CHAPMAN: Has there been an increase of women in chief executive positions?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I do not know.

Ms CHAPMAN: You do not know.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I beg your pardon; yes, there has, I am advised.

Ms CHAPMAN: Who?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Ms Sandy Pitcher and Erma—

Ms CHAPMAN: I am not sure that she actually runs a department.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: —Ranieri.

Ms CHAPMAN: She is the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment, is she not?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Yes.

Ms CHAPMAN: Does she have a department as well?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: No.

Ms CHAPMAN: No, I did not think so. In respect of the other ministers, as a result of your concern or your understanding that it has improved, what is the basis for you being satisfied that it has improved?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Just those observations.

Ms CHAPMAN: What they have told you.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I see people being appointed.

Ms CHAPMAN: No, I meant in ministerial offices.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Yes, just from discussions.

Ms CHAPMAN: So you are satisfied that that has improved in the last 12 months.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: The other thing that I obviously work very hard on is that when I see vacancies come up I make sure that we get that information out on the networks and encourage people—

Ms CHAPMAN: To apply.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Those women who may be interested to apply, and I work those networks very hard. I could not tell you what the uptake is from that but I certainly make sure that there are plenty of women out there who are aware that there are these senior positions coming up, and encourage anyone with an interest.

Ms CHAPMAN: Are you prepared to make inquiry as to what the gender balance is in each of the ministerial offices and report that to the committee?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: The staffing in offices changes very quickly. There is a high level of attrition and—

Ms CHAPMAN: Sure, but I am talking about 1 July to 30 June.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Yes, I could do that. My intention, though—

Ms CHAPMAN: Are you happy to do it?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: My focus is on those leadership positions. In terms of focusing efforts on increasing the representation of women here in parliament, for instance, I think that is of much greater concern to me and also the issue—

Ms CHAPMAN: But apart from the Australian Labor Party—

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: —of senior and executive positions as well where I would like to focus on—

Ms CHAPMAN: Perhaps I will just clarify. As important as the minister might be—

The CHAIR: We are not going to get anywhere if everyone interrupts everybody else, member for Bragg, are we?

Ms CHAPMAN: No.

The CHAIR: I mean, the minister is still talking.

Ms CHAPMAN: I am asking for your ruling on this; that is, whilst the minister, I am sure, has some influence in the Australian Labor Party, for her to have some influence on the representation within the parliament across the board is not within the purview of the budget papers and the program—

The CHAIR: No, I do not think she micromanages ministerial offices, either, so I will go to the member for Fisher for a question.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: But what I would do, given that you are a senior member of the Liberal Party, and given that the Liberal Party—

Ms CHAPMAN: Mr Chairman, can you rule on that, please?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: —politicians are only sitting on 6.7 per cent representation here in South Australia—

Ms CHAPMAN: Can you rule on that?

The CHAIR: What would you like me to rule on: whether the minister is responsible for the Liberal Party?

Ms CHAPMAN: Yes, that is the first thing.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: If you wanted to make some significant change I would be focusing your efforts on—

Ms CHAPMAN: And secondly as to whether it is anything to do with—

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: —increasing women's representation in the Liberal Party.

Ms CHAPMAN: —matters relating to—

The CHAIR: Alright.

Ms CHAPMAN: I do not know whether you can shut her up or not, but I would give it a go.

The CHAIR: Member for Bragg, I will make a ruling in that your question was veering on the edge of being in order anyway.

Ms CHAPMAN: My question was in relation to the gender equity—

The CHAIR: The minister does not have responsibility for the staffing of ministerial offices.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I have answered the question.

Ms CHAPMAN: Actually—

The CHAIR: You asked her if she was interested in that. She said she is interested. She gave you a fulsome answer and I am going to move to the member for Fisher. That is my ruling.

Ms CHAPMAN: I have accepted your ruling. I propose a motion.

The CHAIR: You would like to propose a motion.

Ms CHAPMAN: Yes, dissenting from your ruling. My question was to the minister, as to what the profile of gender was in respect of other ministerial offices, given her statement to the committee that she was satisfied that there had been an improvement in that from last year to this year. That was from her observations.

The CHAIR: Yes, she believed there had been from her observations. That is right.

Ms CHAPMAN: So my question—where she then went off on a bit of a tangent—was to inquire from her as to whether she was prepared to make that inquiry and report back to the committee as to what that improvement was from last year, 1 July to 30 June this year. That is a simple question.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: And I indicated that I was prepared to focus my attention on other areas.

Ms CHAPMAN: So the answer is no.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Other areas such as parliament and women in—

Ms CHAPMAN: Alright, I will take that as a no.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: So I have answered the question.

Ms CHAPMAN: I will take it as a no.

The CHAIR: My ruling is that the minister has answered the question. You can dissent from that if you like. I will go to the member for Fisher.

Ms COOK: Thank you, Chair. My question pertains to page 99 and follows on the frame of domestic violence. How is the South Australian government engaging with and raising awareness in the community on the prevention of violence against women and their children? This is very important to me and many of my colleagues in parliament.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Thank you for your question and for your ongoing interest in this particular policy area. The Our Watch foundation is currently funded by the Australian, Victorian, Tasmanian, Queensland and Northern Territory governments. This foundation was set up to engage and raise awareness in the community on the prevention of violence against women and children. The South Australian government recognises the importance of preventing violence against women before it occurs, and this support reflects the strong commitment we have made to preventing violence against women through our A Right to Safety agenda.

Our Watch began operations under the name of the Foundation to Prevent Violence Against Women and their Children, and it is now called Our Watch. The South Australian government became a member of Our Watch in August 2014, committing $79,000 per annum, indexed for four years. Our Watch, with its aim to drive cultural and attitudinal change to prevent violence against women and their children from the ground up, will enhance South Australia's prevention efforts, utilising community engagement and advocacy to drive this change. Our Watch will build community leadership and drive change across institutions.

On 22 January 2015 it was announced that Rosie Batty, 2015 Australian of the Year, whose son Luke was tragically killed by her abusive ex-partner, joined Our Watch as an ambassador to help drive the cultural change required to end violence against women and their children. In September 2014 Our Watch officially launched its new branding as well as a media campaign aimed at making Australians aware of the effect of our attitudes to violence against women, and promoting equal respect and positive treatment.

In May 2015 Our Watch launched the rebranded The Line campaign. The Line provides online articles, resources and a social media campaign which challenges rigid gender roles, gender inequity and sexism, encouraging young people to break the cycle of violence. Ms Natasha Stott Despoja, board member of Our Watch, also launched the Our Watch five-year plan and strategic priorities to prevent violence against women and their children. The inaugural Our Watch awards were launched on 3 June 2015. These awards will reward excellence in journalism that contributes to a deeper understanding of violence against women.

Ms COOK: Again, just staying with page 99, can the minister please advise how the Multi-Agency Protection Service (MAPS) supports the South Australian Strategic Plan target number 18 around violence against women, and a significant and sustained reduction in violence against women?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: We fairly recently implemented the Multi-Agency Protection Service (MAPS). South Australia Police is a lead agency for the development of a comprehensive, integrated, early intervention gateway, which we call MAPS. SAPOL has partnered with the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion, the Department for Education and Child Development, the Department for Health and Ageing, and the Department for Correctional Services in the development and implementation of MAPS.

This was announced in December 2013 and was reaffirmed in the 2014 state election. It is based on a model similar to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASH), which has operated in countries throughout the United Kingdom over the past three years. MAPS streamlines the referral and notification processes of key agencies and enables them to assess, analyse and respond to domestic violence issues in a more timely and coordinated way.

SA Police have advised that on 28 July 2014 MAPS commenced a limited operational phase, and they are receiving daily domestic violence police incident reports for consideration.

The Office for Women is currently conducting an informal internal snapshot review of MAPS. The report on the review will be provided to MAPS from that steering committee. MAPS supports two of the government's seven strategic priorities: every chance for every child and safe communities, healthy neighbourhoods. MAPS supports South Australian Strategic Plan Target 18: Violence against women: A significant sustained reduction in violence against women.

The CHAIR: There being no further questions, I declare the hearing closed. I declare the examination of proposed payments for the Department of Communities and Social Inclusion in part and Administered Items for the Department of Communities and Social Inclusion in part be adjourned until Monday 27 July. Thank you, minister, and thank you to your advisers. We will be moving on to Consumer and Business Services next.