Legislative Council Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner OFFICE OF THE LIQUOR AND GAMBLING COMMISSIONER The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS Legislative Council OFFICE OF THE LIQUOR AND GAMBLING COMMISSIONER The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (14:34): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Consumer Affairs a question about the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner. Leave granted. The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS Legislative Council The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: I am advised that the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner is in crisis, with many staff having left the office not long after the election but few having been replaced. Subsequently I am advised that the work the office performs, such as approval of persons, applications to vary a licence, approval of new machines, and approval to alter premises, such as renovations, as well as the many other roles the office performs, have been either slow or simply not happening. My question is: can the minister confirm these staff shortages within the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner, and will she acknowledge that this is impacting on venues, the ability of venues to do business, and the ability of many people to become gainfully employed? The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:35): I thank the honourable minister for his question although it is misinformed, sadly misinformed. The Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner is not in crisis. The office is always looking at ways to improve efficiencies and at ways to improve the way we use resources, to streamline the way we do things. We do that there and we continue to look at strategies to improve the way we do things. It is an absolute nonsense that the office is in crisis. They continue to do an extremely good job, and they continue to devise new, efficient and effective ways and work practices to meet service needs.