Ministerial Statement

Electoral Commissioner

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) (14:03): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Today, the South Australian Electoral Commissioner, Kay Mousley, has announced she will be retiring after 10 years in office. Ms Mousley has indicated she will be stepping down in the latter part of this year, and I would like to thank her—

Ms Redmond interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Heysen is interjecting continually; I call her to order and I warn her a first time.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: As I was saying, Ms Mousley has indicated she will be stepping down in the later part of this year, and I would like to thank her for serving in this important role. During her time as commissioner, Ms Mousley has overseen the introduction of a range of initiatives to improve the way the electoral system works.

Ms Redmond interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Heysen is warned for the second and final time.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: He was already called to order during the morning session.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: She has introduced the use of IT across elections, EasyVote cards and a virtual tallyroom, as well as an online training portal for electoral officials and new community awareness strategies.

Ms Mousley has over 30 years of electoral and management experience at the federal, state and local level. She was appointed as Electoral Commissioner in 2005 after a lengthy career with the Australian Electoral Commission.

The Statutory Officers Committee will shortly begin the process of determining a replacement for this role, which will then be recommended to the Governor by a resolution of both houses of parliament. Once again, I would like to thank Ms Mousley for her work and I wish her every success for the future.

The SPEAKER: As one of those who appointed her, I endorse the Deputy Premier's sentiments.

Mr Knoll interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Yes. I call the member for Schubert to order for that grammatical solecism.