Question Time

TOURISM COMMISSION

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:23): I seek leave to ask the Minister for Tourism a question about the tourism restructure.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Does the minister recognise the following quote:

I have put it on the record before that the current chief executive I believe has worked extremely hard in difficult circumstances. He works hard, he works in a very diligent way, he is incredibly passionate about his commitment to tourism and he should be acknowledged for the work that he does.

Was the minister, in that answer to parliament just two days ago, talking about the chief executive of the Tourism Commission who was sacked today? If so, why was he sacked and what wrongs has he committed to deserve this dismissal?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (14:24): I thank the honourable member for his questions. I can assure this chamber that the decision made today to replace the current chief executive with a restructured new part-time chief executive position was not based on concerns about Ian Darbyshire's performance. I can assure members that it was certainly not based on any concerns about his performance.

The decision was made because we needed to produce a more efficient structure in terms of our Tourism Commission. We needed to restructure and reform the organisation into a flatter, more efficient organisation, and of course we are required to deliver significant cost savings. It was felt that these cost savings, given we have a series of previous budgetary savings targets that we are required meet and that the Mid-Year Budget Review has delivered yet another $1.2 million of savings that the commission is required to find, cannot be delivered with the current structure of the organisation.

We are looking to reform and restructure the organisation, to better be able to leverage opportunities that promote and support tourism in their very important role. We know that the work that the Tourism Commission does is vital for this state. It underpins the work of the tourism industry and it generates hundreds of millions of dollars to this state. I believe it is in everyone's interest to ensure that we have the most efficient and effective structure so we can move on.

The announcement was made not very long ago and I am very pleased to note that already SATIC, the industry council, has come out and warmly supported the changes. So too has the McLaren Vale Grape, Wine and Tourism Association and also the Tourism and Transport Forum. So already key industry tourism stakeholders are showing support for this announcement and these changes.