Commissioner for Kangaroo Island

Mr BIGNELL (Mawson) (15:27): I rise today to talk about a wonderful part of the world, Kangaroo Island. I was there yesterday for the fourth time in the past four weeks for the opening of the brand-new airport, the $18 million airport that was jointly funded through $9 million of state government money and $9 million from the federal government.

That was $9 million committed when we were in government here in South Australia, and I want to thank the then premier (member for Cheltenham) and the then deputy premier (member for Enfield), in particular, for the hard work they did to make sure we had that money to turn this airport into a world-class facility that matches the fantastic physical and natural attributes of Kangaroo Island as well as the wonderful produce that comes from that part of the world.

The people of Kangaroo Island are very upset about the new government's decision to get rid of the Commissioner for Kangaroo Island. This is an incredible position, and it is probably the first time anywhere in Australia that a position like this has been established. It was established by our government because Kangaroo Island is a place with 4½ thousand people and 4½ thousand square kilometres, which has its own challenges. There is a great, resilient community there, both the business community and the wider community, which gets on and gets the job done despite the tyranny of distance and the water crossing. However, they did need a hand in terms of having their voice heard at a state and, indeed, a federal level, so after lots and lots of consultation the Kangaroo Island commissioner was established.

The Liberal Party made it an election promise to get rid of the commissioner if they were to form government. Of course, that happened on 17 March and that concerned a lot of people on Kangaroo Island, a lot of traditional Liberal voters. They wanted me to go in and sign a document they were preparing to send to the new government. I said, 'It's probably not the best thing to have my name on it, but I'll work quietly behind the scenes and just talk to members of the new government and ask them why they don't just give it a chance and see how good it is, because when you are in opposition things can look different to when you actually get into government, and I think the establishment and appointment of the Kangaroo Island commissioner has been a fantastic thing for Kangaroo Island.'

But the Liberals have pressed on with it and announced last week that they are going to get rid of the commissioner in September this year. I think that is a really negative step. I had explained that too quietly because, as I have said from the outset, I want to fight for people, not with people. I want to do it the right way. I do not want to play politics with this, I just want her to get out there and do the right thing by Kangaroo Island. By getting rid of the commissioner, there are only losers.

The people of Kangaroo Island are losers, the businesses of Kangaroo Island are losers, the government—whoever is in government—are losers, but the Liberal Party are really big losers as well. In fact, there is probably only one winner in all this, and that would be me. But I do not want to win, I really do not want to win. I would rather see the commissioner stay in place. A letter was sent to the Premier, signed on behalf of 350 businesses on Kangaroo Island in industries as diverse as farming and food production, accommodation providers and commercial artists, and it includes myriad small and micro businesses in retail, trades and services.

These people all want the commissioner to stay in place. What we heard last week when there were a few Liberal members of parliament on the island and what we heard yesterday from the Premier was that if we do it for Kangaroo Island, then what about Port Lincoln? What about Mount Gambier? What about these other places? It is a little bit like saying if one part of South Australia has running water, no other part of the state is allowed to have running water. How about we get a commissioner for Mount Gambier who can perhaps bring both sides of the border together, who consults with the Victorian government and the South Australian government? How about we get someone along the river?

What I was really upset with yesterday, and a lot of people on the island were upset with this, is that the Premier went over there as part of the opening ceremony for the new airport and a very well-respected long-term Liberal voter went up to the Premier and said, 'I hope you are supporting the Commissioner for Kangaroo Island. She does a great job.' He was not offensive in any way, yet the Premier demanded an apology. This man asked some other people around, 'Was I offensive to the Premier?' and they said, 'No, you weren't.' But he said, 'I went up and apologised to the Premier because I had to put the interests of my community ahead of my own thoughts.' He is pretty ropeable with the Premier, he is pretty ropeable with this new government, and I have to say that a lot of people on Kangaroo Island are very upset.

I urge the government one more time, publicly this time, to please retain the Commissioner for Kangaroo Island. She has done an amazing job to help grow a wonderful part of the world, and I think she should be allowed to continue on for many years to come.