ABORIGINAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

370 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (17 November 2008).

1. How many applications were received for positions on the South Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council?

2. How many interviews were undertaken?

3. Who was on the interview panel?

4. How many applicants were successful in being appointed and what is the tenure of each person appointed?

5. How many members of the Council were previous members of the South Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council announced in December 2005?

6. Who was appointed to the Council in 2006 and 2007?

7. Were interviews or applications accepted for positions on the Council in 2005, 2006 and 2007?

8. Is the South Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council required to submit an annual report to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation or to the Department of Premier and Cabinet?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Early Childhood Development, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management): The Interim South Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council (Interim SAAAC) was established in November 2005 to recommend structures to better engage Aboriginal people. In May 2007 it recommended that a permanent Aboriginal Advisory Council be established. In December 2007 the State Government permanently established the Aboriginal Advisory Council.

No new appointments were made to the SAAC in 2006 or 2007.

In May 2008, I re-appointed five (5) of the original interim council members to the new permanent SAAAC for one year, and its Chairperson for two years. I further appointed four (4) new members for two years commencing from 1 May 2008.

Seventy-nine (79) applications were received from across the State to fill the four vacancies.

I made appointments after assessing each application against set criteria, including:

Possesses a strong understanding of Aboriginal culture;

Have standing within the Aboriginal community;

Have policy and service delivery experience;

Are able to strongly contribute to the Council performing its role as identified in the Terms of Reference; and

Considering the Council's gender and age balance.

The South Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council is required to submit an annual report to me as the Minister responsible, commencing from 1 July 2008 for the period ending 30 June 2009.