OFFICE FOR THE NORTHERN SUBURBS

Mr VENNING (Schubert) (16:52) Thank you, Mr Speaker. There is a so much better way of doing this. My question is to the Minister for the Northern Suburbs—

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr VENNING: Can the minister explain why, more than six months after being given the portfolio of the northern suburbs, she has yet to open her promised office for the northern suburbs in Elizabeth? Premier Rann announced with much fanfare a new northern suburbs minister on 23 July 2008. On 1 August 2008, he told the Northern Community Summit the following:

That's why I recently appointed a new minister for the northern suburbs: Jennifer Rankine, who many of you know as the member for Wright. Add that portfolio to those of housing, families and communities, ageing and disability, her office will be located in Elizabeth.

The opposition has been informed that an office for the northern suburbs has yet to open in Elizabeth as promised.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Northern Suburbs, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (16:53): I can assure the member for Schubert that works are underway to prepare that office. Obviously, we needed to identify a suitable site, and we have done that.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: We have had to go through a proper process to engage people to actually fit out that office. Those works are underway, and we look forward—

Ms Chapman: Where is it?

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: —to opening that office in the relatively near future.

An honourable member: Where?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: In Elizabeth.