South Australian Museum

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:41): My question is to the Minister for Arts. Does the minister support the restructure of the Museum, including the removal of the 27 research science positions?

The Hon. A. MICHAELS (Enfield—Minister for Small and Family Business, Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, Minister for Arts) (14:41): I certainly support the vision of Dr David Gaimster and the board of the Museum with their new strategic vision. It will be a very positive step forward for the Museum to be able to engage more appropriately, telling our incredible southern Australian stories. To be able to do that and take the Museum forward I think is an exceptional vision for them to have. So, yes, I do support their vision. And I just note that currently the industrial process at the moment is to not remove 22 positions—

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner: Twenty-seven.

The Hon. A. MICHAELS: —sorry, 27 positions—it is to change 27 positions and have 22, so a net loss of five. That is what is being undertaken at the moment in terms of consultation. But the strategic vision for the Museum to be able to engage is to be able to have galleries that people are attracted to, to be able to tell our First Nations stories and to be able to tell our natural stories. We have the most incredible collection here in South Australia, the biggest collection of Aboriginal cultural items in the world. We need to be proud of that, we need to display that and we need to be able to teach our community all about our incredible South Australian stories, and this vision will allow that to happen.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Morialta and then the member for Torrens, who has been waiting very patiently.