Ministerial Statement

CABINET RESHUFFLE

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (14:21): I seek leave to read the ministerial statement just made by the Premier in relation to a cabinet reshuffle.

Leave granted.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: It states:

I have previously indicated that I intended to reshuffle ministerial portfolios at about this time. I am now able to announce the changes to my cabinet, which will become effective following a special Executive Council meeting and swearing in ceremony at Government House tomorrow. I think it is important to freshen up the ministry every few years to keep new ideas flowing and gain new perspectives on issues.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: And isn't it needed over there, Mr President! I hope that, as the government does it, members opposite will follow. Obviously they need more than just reshuffling portfolios: they really need reshuffling of some personnel. It continues:

This is not a total makeover of the cabinet because I believe ministers have been performing very well and I want to maintain stability within our solidly performing government. However, remixing the portfolio responsibilities can stimulate new ideas and bring a fresh approach. Ten of the 15-member cabinet will either change posts or take on or lose various portfolios. The changes are designed to broaden the experiences of ministers. It is not about creating winners or losers.

One of the most significant changes will be the creation of a new portfolio of Minister for the Northern Suburbs. This responsibility will be taken on by the member for Wright, who changes her portfolios completely, also taking on the roles of Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing and Minister for Disability. The member for Wright is a very long-time resident of the northern suburbs who has lived and represented people in the area for many years. She has an incredible empathy for people in the northern region and will champion their causes strongly around the cabinet table in the same way that the Minister for the Southern Suburbs champions the causes for that area. As a mother and a grandmother with a strong community involvement, she already has a good grasp of the roles and responsibilities of the families and communities portfolio, and I am confident she will become a strong leader in her other responsibilities in housing, ageing and disability.

The member for Cheltenham will take on environment and conservation, as well as the new portfolio of early childhood development. As a father of two young children, he has a passionate interest in this area. He will keep his other portfolios of Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation and Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management.

The Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, the member for Colton, will lose the gambling portfolio to the Hon. Carmel Zollo, and he will take on the tough industrial relations portfolio as well as that of volunteers. As a former firefighter and former secretary of the South Australian and National United Firefighters Union, the member for Colton will bring terrific experience to his new industrial relations responsibilities. He maintains his portfolios of science and information economy, and youth.

Other changes include the member for Adelaide relinquishing children's services and taking on the important mental health and substance abuse portfolio and retaining education, tourism and the City of Adelaide. The Hon. Paul Holloway will take over the small business portfolio from the member for Chaffey. Because I want the member for Chaffey to concentrate solely on the vitally important area of water security, and because she has recently taken over full responsibilities for SA Water, she will maintain her responsibilities as Minister for the River Murray and Minister for Water Security. Her regional development role will shift to the member for Mount Gambier, who retains his other portfolios.

The member for Lee will take on responsibilities for police and emergency services while maintaining his role as Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. The Hon. Gail Gago will take over the portfolios of Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises and Minister Assisting in Transport, Infrastructure and Energy. I am confident that the changes I have announced today will further enhance our strong and stable government, which is working for the benefit of all South Australians.