Legislative Council Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1) 53 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Technical and Further Education Inquiry Technical and Further Education Inquiry The Hon. T.A. FRANKS Legislative Council Technical and Further Education Inquiry The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:09): Supplementary question. Can the minister clarify that that means any member of this Legislative Council—or, indeed, the House of Assembly—now has permission to talk to TAFE SA at any time they like without ministerial permission? The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers Technical and Further Education Inquiry The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:09): I have already— Members interjecting: The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Allow the minister to answer the question. The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Mr President, I think that members here spend a lot of time half asleep. I have already made it very clear in this place that TAFE is an independent corporation. It is run by an independent board, an independent statutory authority. I have said in this place before that, since those changes were put in place, I as minister am not responsible for the day-to-day management of TAFE or staffing or other administrative issues. I am on Hansard as saying that, if members want answers to that information about those administrative matters, etc., I have invited members in this place to go to TAFE because that is the body that is responsible for it. I am responsible for ensuring that TAFE fulfils its statutory responsibilities under the act, and that is where my powers and authority lie. I have already said that in this place—I have already invited members who want operational information to inquire of TAFE.