WOMEN'S INFORMATION SERVICE

Ms PORTOLESI (Hartley) (15:12): My question is to the Minister for the Status of Women. Can the minister please tell us about the outstanding work being undertaken by the Women's Information Service?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Volunteers, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister Assisting in Early Childhood Development) (15:12): I thank the member for Hartley for her question. As members would know, the Rann Labor government has a very strong commitment to putting gender equity and women's issues firmly on the agenda here in South Australia. This is very strongly reflected in South Australia's Strategic Plan, with specific targets for women—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Here we have the member for Bragg yelling across the chamber, once again, totally disrupting the business of the house. What she fails to highlight, however, is that their side of the house in relation to women have no targets, have no plans, have no strategies, and provide no support for women. You only have to look at their side of the chamber to see how much support they have had for women. However, I should point out that their percentages went up at the last state election because they lost so many seats, so three out of their little quota was a far greater percentage. You only have to look at the percentage of women on federal government boards, on John Howard's government boards and committees.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Members on their feet, I ask them to leave the chamber please, quietly. I cannot hear what the minister is saying. The discussion across both sides of the chamber must cease. The minister has the call.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Thank you, sir. We have targets and commitments to having 50 per cent of women on South Australian government boards and committees. We have a target of 50 per cent women chairing those boards. And we have a target of 50 per cent women members of parliament. As I pointed out, we are doing our bit on this side of the house; their side of the house is not doing so well at all.

The member for Bragg came in here yesterday, cut the lunch of the member for Unley, cut the lunch of the member for Finniss, as they were grilling me through the Auditor-General's Report—came in, cut their lunch; but what were your numbers? When you were in government, 32 per cent. She had the gall to come in here and complain about an in excess of 10 per cent increase in the number of women. She has got the gall to come in here and complain, when the number of women on federal government boards and committees, John Howard's boards and committees, are in the low 20 per cents. Private sector boards and committees of the top 200 countries in the nation—8 per cent. Here in South Australia—43 per cent and rising.

We are committed to increasing opportunities for women across the entire spectrum, promoting women into positions of power and seniority and also providing advice and support to women who need it: those who are dealing with the consequences of drought, young women and babies, women dealing with domestic violence or family breakdown, and women who from time to time just need a bit of support or some information and advice.

The government has implemented a range of services to provide support for women, including a universal home visiting program, wonderful children's centres, expanding the role of the Women's Information Service, providing information and referral and support services for women across South Australia in their own communities—

Ms Thompson interjecting:

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: We are taking it out to regional areas, the suburbs and country regions. The service provides advice to women seeking information about a range of issues including relationships, parenting, mental health, education, employment and domestic violence.

Ms Chapman: Seven ministers.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: You have no idea. They are still way above the numbers you had—in excess of a 10 per cent increase, in fact. It is about 20 per cent of your federal colleagues. We are not doing too bad—a good news story. I thank the member for Bragg for raising the issue yesterday because it gives me the opportunity to highlight how well we are doing here in South Australia.

Recently, as part of the community cabinet held on Kangaroo Island, I met with a number of women from the local area—something that I do on a regular basis when we have these community cabinets out in regional areas. Amongst the issues talked about were the impacts of the drought on country families and the associated depression and other problems that can arise in those circumstances.

Following on from that gathering, the Women's Information Service participated in the Women's Health Expo on the island, organised by the Kangaroo Island Community Health Service and the Women's Health Advisory Service. Information was provided to women about several matters, including legal issues, domestic violence and problems in the workplace. As I highlighted yesterday, and as we heard from the Minister for Industrial Relations, there are plenty of those problems arising in our workplace as a result of the Howard government's WorkChoices legislation.

As a result of the popularity of the presence of the Women's Information Service, I am pleased to advice that in early 2008 we will be setting up a women's information hub at the Kingscote library. This is just another example of how the government's services are connected with women all over South Australia to ensure that they have access to information and to provide support to women in regional areas who are experiencing many difficulties as a result of the drought. The Women's Information Service staff have also been visiting other areas to provide information where they live including the Paskeville Field Days on Yorke Peninsula and the Mount Gambier Show.

We are all very aware that women provide a critical role in supporting their families and their local communities. I am very proud of the role the Women's Information Service is playing in providing information to the women of South Australia, and I am very proud of what the South Australian government is doing in promoting women into positions where they can influence the policy direction of this state.