GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:11): I seek leave to make a second ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I wish to inform the house of senior government appointments. This morning, ALP caucus unanimously elected minister Gail Gago as the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council and the No. 3 minister in our cabinet. This is the first time a woman has held this leadership position in this state's history, for any party. Since her election in 2002, Gail has proven herself—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! There is too much background noise.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: The member for Unley's slur on his leader, then, by saying that he only turns to women when they are desperate, is extraordinary.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Since her election in 2002, Gail has proven herself as a minister and legislator—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: —who is especially known for her hard work, her ability to listen and her compassion. She has held nine different portfolios and has a demonstrated ability to understand complex issues—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: —in a range of fields.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the Premier will sit down! There's too much background noise today. It's very audible, and I would remind you that now we are all film stars and that Sky regularly streams out and often your comments are picked up, so be very careful, and keep your noise down.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, Madam Speaker. The member for Norwood interjected that there is no evidence that Ms Gago is a woman. I would ask him to withdraw that immediately.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I did not hear the comment, and I hope the member did not say that—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: He denies it. No point of order at this stage.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! There will be no quarrels across the floor!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Let me make it quite clear that members opposite are in a different century, but we do point out that they have had 16 leaders and deputy leaders during the time I have been leader of the Labor Party.

Gail Gago has had nine different portfolios and has a demonstrated ability to understand complex issues in a range of fields. Gail has been a staunch advocate for the interests of women from all walks of life. Her years in nursing, then with the Australian Nursing Federation (which she headed), have given Gail a solid grounding in health policy, industrial relations and, importantly in her role in the other place, in negotiation. I congratulate her on her historic appointment, and I would ask members opposite to encourage their colleagues in another place to work with the new leader on our legislative agenda for the benefit of all South Australians.

I would also like to inform the house of some other recent appointments. As members would be aware, Chris Eccles resigned as my chief executive earlier this year to take up the equivalent position in New South Wales.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: It is interesting that they attacked his administration of the South Australian Public Service, but, apparently, have reversed their position now that he has gone to work for the Liberal government in New South Wales.

Mr Pisoni: He couldn't get out of here quick enough.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I am pleased to inform the house that Jim Hallion has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Jim is currently the Chief Executive of the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, a position he has held since 2006. Jim brings to the job a wealth of experience which starts way back in 1976 when he began work in our old Highways Department after finishing a Bachelor of Civil Engineering.

In his current role, Jim has been in charge of the biggest infrastructure rollout the state has ever seen, including the Northern Expressway, the South Road-Anzac Highway grade separation, the South Road superway project, the new Port River bridges and the Port River Expressway; and our major rail and tram upgrades, including the electrification of our network and the Seaford rail extension. Jim also brings a broad knowledge of government to the role, having previously held the positions of chief executive of Primary Industries and Resources and chief executive of the Department of Industry and Trade during the time of the previous government.

I am delighted that Jim will be taking on the role as chief executive of my department. He will bring his demonstrated energy, expertise and enthusiasm to his new broader role as we continue our massive infrastructure rollout and capital investment program, including the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, the $2 billion public transport investment, Adelaide Oval and Riverbank redevelopment, as well as many more programs to reinvest in our state.

Mr Goldsworthy interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: He doesn't realise that the $2 billion is ours.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Jim also brings a national perspective to his role through his membership of various national organisations, including Infrastructure Australia, which advises the federal and state governments on investing and modernising the nation's economic infrastructure.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for Norwood!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: He also chaired the Murray-Darling Basin Commission water trading board and oversaw the introduction of interstate water trade. Jim is a proven leader and will help us meet our Strategic Plan targets. He will ensure we harness our opportunities while meeting the challenges of our social inclusion objectives as well as our environmental responsibilities.

His move leaves a vacancy in the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, and I am pleased to inform the house that Rod Hook will be the new chief executive of that department. Rod is currently deputy chief executive of the agency and has held senior executive roles in major projects and infrastructure, environment, housing, urban development and public transport projects in the state.

Rod is well known for his ability to deliver quality projects and has managed many of the biggest infrastructure projects in South Australia in recent years, including our major transport revitalisation, including the tram extension, major road projects, the convention centre redevelopment and the magnificent new state aquatic centre at Marion, to name just a few. I know there are members here—

Mr Goldsworthy interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Kavel, you are very vocal today and I can hear every word you are saying. Can you keep your voice down. The Premier.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I am very pleased that the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing participated in one of the first water slides. Rod Hook was also coordinator-general of the federal stimulus package in South Australia, including the Building the Education Revolution, the biggest capital works program our education system has ever seen. The South Australian rollout was seen as the exemplar nationally of the program.

Rod was also responsible for the $45 million project to deepen the Outer Harbor shipping channel which has breathed new life into our port and seen a huge increase in goods being transported through our docks. I am confident that, under Rod, our major infrastructure build is in good hands. Both Jim and Rod will take up their new roles on Monday on five-year contracts. I am sure they will enjoy bipartisan support.