Commissioner for Public Sector Employment

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:18): This is a supplementary, because clearly the part that was offending in my question was related to the cabinet meeting, so I will ask a supplementary following on from the minister's answer. Did the minister, prior to 7 April, discuss with the Premier the proposed appointment of Ms Ranieri as Commissioner for Public Sector Employment?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:19): I am very happy to answer this question. Can I say that I don't quite understand which part of a vacant office with two people being involved in running those arrangements—Ms Ranieri and the Commissioner for Public Employment, Mr McCann. One of them ceases to actually be in that role, you amalgamate those two agencies. If you can't understand that Ms Ranieri wasn't a frontrunner for that position then I can't help you. The fact that she is an eminently suitable candidate for this position, the fact that she is a first-class public servant that you are seeking to cast doubt about her suitability or otherwise for that role, or indeed the process associated with it—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I call the leader to order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —is just fairly standard form for those opposite. It is a pretty simple matter: we said before the election that we would pull together these three agencies. We actually have Ms Ranieri running these three agencies; there is a vacancy. She continues in her role.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Obviously, she was going to be a frontrunner for the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment. Obviously, the minister undertook a process to make sure that she was the suitable candidate for that role. She got that advice, then the Governor was provided with the relevant recommendation, and the appointment has been made. It is completely appropriate, the steps that have been taken—

Mr Gardner interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —and I strongly support her appointment.

Mr MARSHALL: Supplementary, sir?

The SPEAKER: Before the supplementary, would the leader be seated. The member for Morialta is warned for the first time; his benefit of clergy is over. The member for Chaffey is warned for the first time, and I call to order the members for Heysen, Schubert and Mount Gambier. Leader.