House of Assembly Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Ministerial Statement Ministerial Statement Ministerial Appointments MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS The Hon. M.D. RANN House of Assembly Ramsay Premier Minister for Economic Development Minister for Social Inclusion Minister for the Arts Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change 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) (14:02): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement. Leave granted. The Hon. M.D. RANN House of Assembly The Hon. M.D. RANN: The parliamentary Labor Party this afternoon elected the Hon. Russell Wortley MLC to fill the vacancy in the cabinet. Later today, I will be recommending to His Excellency the Governor in Executive Council the appointment of Mr Wortley to the ministry and the assignment of portfolio responsibilities. Mr Wortley's experience before entering South Australian politics in 2006 ensures he will bring both knowledge and fresh ideas to cabinet. He brings to the important role of being a minister experience of having worked as a tradesperson, as an apprentice plumber, a plumber and gasfitter, a workers' advocate in the unions, a community activist, a local government representative and, of course, a committee chair in the parliament. Mr Wortley started out as an apprentice plumber and gasfitter before being elected in 1984 as an organiser for the Federated Gas Employees Union, then followed more than 20 years as a senior union official including his election as secretary of the union in 1996. In 1987, he successfully stood as a councillor in Fitzroy ward in Prospect City Council where he served until 1993. I congratulate Russell on his election and I am sure all members will join with me in wishing him well in working in the best interests of the people of South Australia. I am sure members opposite will also extend their congratulations. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order!