WORKPLACE SAFETY

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:12): Can the minister assure the council that the 2008-09 budget cuts which resulted in a reduction of 18 staff in SafeWork SA, including three senior inspectors, a principal inspector, a senior industrial relations inspector and the manager of frontline services, had no impact on SafeWork SA's capacity to ensure safe work places in South Australia and, in particular, on SafeWork SA's capacity to conclude the compliance audit referred to by the Coroner?

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for Gambling) (15:12): I did not refer to the budget in my initial answer; however, I can certainly say that this government has put far more resources into the health and safety inspectorate than a Liberal government would ever dream of. We have put more inspectors in place and we have increased the scope and the strength of the legislation that applies. As I have said, I will carefully consider the findings of the Coroner in relation to this particular case rather than make some sort of knee-jerk response.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!