Kangaroo Island

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (14:22): My question is directed to the Deputy Premier. Deputy Premier, can you inform the house about recent state government initiatives on Kangaroo Island and how these have fostered an environment of collaboration between island businesses?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Child Protection Reform) (14:23): Can I thank the honourable member, who I know for many years has had a great interest in Kangaroo Island, and the committee that she chairs has a long-standing interest in it.

Ms Chapman: At least she's done something useful about it.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: And, yes—

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is warned for the second and final time, dear though this is to her heart.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: I agree with the member for Bragg, the deputy leader, that the honourable member's committee has done great works for Kangaroo Island, and they all deserve to be congratulated. Mr Speaker, as you are aware, the Commissioner for Kangaroo Island Act 2014 came into operation last month. That act provides for a framework for a commissioner to be appointed to provide for the development of management plans in relation to the coordination and delivery of—

Mr Pengilly: How'd the interview go yesterday?

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier will not taunt the opposition with silence.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: I apologise for my unparliamentary silence, Mr Speaker. In relation to the coordination and delivery of infrastructure and services on the island, I recently visited Kangaroo Island to attend a board meeting of the Kangaroo Island Futures Authority.

I am pleased to inform the house that the role of commissioner has been advertised nationally and applications closed on 13 February this year. The selection process has now commenced. Although I play no role in the selection process, which will be overseen by a panel of representatives from the state government and the island community, I am led to believe that some strong names have expressed interest—very strong names, I believe.

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: You haven't applied? No, okay.

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier will not respond to interjections.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Very well, Mr Speaker. I will respond to them with silence, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Not prolonged.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Not prolonged silence. Very well. Brief silence. While visiting the island I also met with a number of business leaders. The meeting was held in a shearing shed near Kingscote, for those who are interested, and provided an open forum to discuss various aspects of island life and how the government was assisting. One particular aspect was especially exciting. I was informed that a core group of island businesses called a public meeting at the racecourse in October 2014. Over 140 people attended on that day and nearly 100 businesses from industry sectors all over the island made a statement of support for a dedicated business group on Kangaroo Island and signed up to a group called Business Kangaroo Island.

The chairperson of Business Kangaroo Island has said that the organisation recognises the great work which has been done by the Kangaroo Island Futures Authority, with the support of the state government, as well as the appointment of the Commissioner for Kangaroo Island in the near future. Business Kangaroo Island has identified that it is essential that Kangaroo Islanders not only have a say in what happens on Kangaroo Island but that they show support for the many great initiatives that are in the pipeline.

I have said this before, but the state government's support for Kangaroo Island is not about politics or votes, it is about doing what is right by Kangaroo Island and South Australia.

The Hon. J.W. Weatherill: That's because it hasn't led to any.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Yes, as the Premier said, it certainly hasn't led to a great many. It is about doing what is right by Kangaroo Island and South Australia. I applaud those who have joined Business Kangaroo Island, who have seen the time and the resources the state government has invested in their community, and have been willing to roll up their sleeves and work for the good of the entire island. I wish Business Kangaroo Island every success and look forward to updating the house as to the progress of this organisation and, of course, the selection in due course of the Commissioner for Kangaroo Island.