Government Boards and Committees

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:08): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of the Government questions about the abolition of government boards.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: The government recently announced the abolition of the South Australian Tourism Commission Board. The minister was previously a champion of the SATC when she was minister for tourism. My questions are:

1. Does the minister agree with the government's decision to abolish the South Australian Tourism Commission Board?

2. What has changed specifically between then and now for the SATC Board to be considered redundant?

3. Why didn't the minister abolish the commission during her time as minister for tourism if it has no value?

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 thank the honourable member for his important question. The honourable member will be well aware that the matter of the tourism board is a matter for minister Bignell, who is the minister in this space. Of course, the Premier has undertaken a process whereby all the government boards and committees in South Australia are reviewed. He felt it was time to—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister is on her feet speaking, if you don't mind. Minister.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: —review and update those, which had grown considerably in number, and some of which had lost quite a bit of relevance. For instance, one of mine used to have responsibilities for the regulatory functions for our VET system, and that has all been shifted to the commonwealth.

Although that board has not been abolished, nevertheless I have used this as an opportunity to update and review its terms of reference, given that part of its previous role or function is now obsolete. That is a good example of a being a good opportunity to review this. In terms of the decisions, this decision went through cabinet and is a decision supported by all government members. My understanding is that this reform is going to be undertaken in relation to the tourism board and the role and function of that board, and that is a process that will be run through minister Bignell.