Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:55): My question is to the Attorney-General. Has anyone in his department undertaken such an assessment? Furthermore, has Mr John Ovenstone, the fines enforcement recovery officer of the unit, been advised that he will retain his employment in the event of sale and/or privatisation of any aspect of the unit?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Child Protection Reform, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for Consumer and Business Services, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:55): I am not quite sure, given that the first part of the question I assume is referring to the question earlier to the Treasurer, but so far as I am aware there has been no conversation whatsoever about Mr Ovenstone's unit being changed in any way, other than the fact that there is a bill before the parliament, I think in another place, or maybe it's still here, I am not sure—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: No, I'm telling you what we are doing with it. We are trying to give them improved powers so that they can do a better job for the community in collecting the fines and the unpaid expiation notices around the place. We think it's very important that the government be very vigilant in pursuing those matters. We are trying to make sure that they can do that well.

Also, given the fact that the government has gone to all the trouble of establishing a stand-alone and dedicated money-collecting agency, we are actually seeking to use their expertise to help the government collect civil dues owed to it as well. So we are very happy with the unit, and as far as I am aware there is no intention whatsoever for us to be doing anything other than keeping it exactly where it is.