MINISTERIAL STAFF

Mr GRIFFITHS (Goyder) (15:06): I ask the Treasurer: will you force ministers to cut their ministerial staff budgets in the same way as you are asking government departments to cut jobs? On ABC Radio on 27 May 2009 in response to a question about public sector job cuts, the Treasurer said:

What I say to the Public Service is that the whole community, whether it's public servants, factory workers at General Motors which are on a three day week, we are all in this together and we have to pull and tighten together. We have to take hard decisions and I expect the Public Service to be as prepared to adjust as the factory workers at Holden's and other people facing significant cutbacks.

According to state budget papers there are 207 personal staff employed by government ministers, up from 147 staff when the government came to office. This is an increase of 41 per cent.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Federal/State Relations) (15:07): If that is the most far-reaching and probing question that I can get from the shadow finance minister in the week leading into the budget, I am somewhat stunned. However, it is not a bad idea and I might have a look at it. I assume you are also offering up the leader's staff for budget cuts as well?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: No, our staff, but not theirs. I would have thought after their efforts in the last couple of weeks that they might want to reduce their staff a little. If the member is offering up the leader's staff in a spirit of cooperation, let's have a look at it.