OUTBACK COMMUNITIES AUTHORITY

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (14:42): I have a supplementary question. Given that the minister said that a majority of OCA members have previously come from or have direct interest in the outback, will the minister indicate that a priority will be given to ensuring that a majority of the new OCA members will be resident in the outback areas of the state?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:43): I believe that it is four out of seven. I will need to double-check those figures. My understanding is that, at present, the majority are required to have a direct interest in outback communities, so either reside in or come from outback communities. Then there are a number of positions—

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: But I think you should have a majority that are resident currently.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Dawkins has asked his supplementary.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: The rules that are provided currently absolutely ensure that the majority of members, four out of seven, have direct personal experience and interest in the outback and, in that way, we ensure that the experience and knowledge and understanding of the outback are incorporated into the committee.

The role of this authority is quite complex. It requires a broad range of different skills and expertise. Our priority always is to find those skills within residing members of the outback. Unfortunately, that is not always possible, but that is always our first preference and what we strive to do. But if we are not able to find that full breadth of skills from current residents, then we do the best we can. We ensure that those skills are as closely aligned as possible with those people who have knowledge, understanding, skill and passion for the outback.