VOLUNTEERS

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (14:28): My question is to the Minister for Volunteers. Can the minister advise the house of ways in which the government is assisting volunteer organisations to access information technology services in the community?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:29): I would like to thank the member for Mitchell for this very important question. It goes without saying that volunteers are the lifeblood of our community and make an incredible contribution both socially and economically to the people of South Australia. The government is absolutely committed to supporting them. We work closely with our Volunteers Ministerial Advisory Group who advises us that one of the important issues for volunteer organisations is access to information and communication technology. That is why we have undertaken an ICT access mapping project to identify the availability and locations of free and low-cost access to information and communication technology within local council areas.

By working with local and district councils across the state, the government has identified the range of ICT-related resources that community organisations could use, for example, through local libraries, schools and other community service outlets. This initiative has identified 281 sites covering 68 council areas that offer access to computers, internet and training either for free or at low cost. We have formed a register of these sites, which I am pleased to report is available through the government's Office for Volunteers website.

This is just another example of this government listening and responding to the needs of our volunteers. And the feedback from the community speaks for itself. For instance, Alexandra Lawson from the Red Cross says:

Wow, this looks fantastic! Thanks so much for all the hard work that has gone into this. I can't wait to share it with my organisation and spread the word. Great to see such a fantastic initiative come to life!

Anne Bachman of—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: Stay calm, grasshopper. Anne Bachman of the VMAG said:

I have just accessed the site and am blown away. Just fabulous and covers what we were keen to have done. Do all make time to examine the site. Just fabulous and I am most impressed.

I am sure this register will become a most valuable tool for our tireless volunteers.