APY EXECUTIVE

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:16): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations, representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, questions about the APY executive.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: On 7 July, the APY executive was advised to approve a variation to the access by-law, previously passed by the executive, as negotiated with the then minister by Ron Merkel QC, a recently retired Federal Court judge. The variation removed the executive's right to pass a code of conduct to prevent a recurrence of past abuses of access to the lands and to respond to future abuses, as well as removing the right to charge for most permits on the basis that the government would pay for this. My questions for the minister are:

1. Is there a funding agreement in place for the permit and notification system for the lands?

2. If not, how does the government propose to make good on its commitment to fund the permit and notification systems?

3. Is the minister aware of any obstruction or interference with the legal services to the executive on 5 May 2010?

4. Has the minister approved the conditions of appointment of the current general manager of APY, and when did his appointment commence?

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) (15:17): I thank the honourable member for his questions relating to the APY executive and the issue of permits. I will refer those questions to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and bring back a response.