Legislative Council Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Departmental Reorganisation DEPARTMENTAL REORGANISATION The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS Legislative Council DEPARTMENTAL REORGANISATION The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (15:06): Can the Minister for State/Local Government Relations outline to the chamber the recent changes regarding organisational arrangements in government? The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY Legislative Council Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations DEPARTMENTAL REORGANISATION The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:08): I thank the honourable member for his very important question. After Premier Jay Weatherill announced his new cabinet on 20 October 2011, cabinet approved— The Hon. D.W. Ridgway Legislative Council The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: It seems like a year, but it's only been a couple of weeks. The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY Legislative Council The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: We have probably made enough announcements that it seems like a year, that's right. Cabinet approved proposals to changes to ministerial responsibilities and government departments. These changes encourage a forward-thinking, responsive, innovative and dynamic Public Service now and into the future. Several departments have been recast and over the coming period functions will be transferred between departments to consolidate these new responsibilities. The Weatherill government's priorities for South Australia encompass an equitable society with communities that are vibrant places to live and work, a strong internationally competitive economy and environmental sustainability. A significant focus to achieve these priorities is supporting the next generation of South Australians to ensure that they have the best start in life. I am pleased to report that the proposals endorsed by cabinet will bring the Office for State/Local Government Relations, now located in the Department of Planning and Local Government, into the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. The Department of the Premier and Cabinet will continue to provide policy support to the Premier and ministers, and the change will strengthen the government's overarching responsibility for federal, state and local government relations through the integration of the Office for State/Local Government Relations. This move also reflects the LGA's request to the government that the office be part of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, recognising its whole-of-government policy perspective and the key role that the local government sector plays in our state's community cohesion and economic development. I note that SafeWork SA continues to report to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, so I will now have the advantage of one administrative reporting point for both my ministerial responsibilities.