South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (14:49): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the assistant minister to the Premier regarding the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS: The primary function of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission (SAMEAC) is to increase awareness and understanding of the ethnic diversity of the South Australian community and the implications of that diversity. It is concerning to read the report this week, during Refugee Week, that board members of SAMEAC have been notified by email that their terms won't be extended past their 30 June expiration.

My questions are: will the assistant minister to the Premier provide detail to this council as to what role she, as well as the Premier, played in the decision not to renew existing appointments? Further, will the assistant minister to the Premier advise if and when these vacant positions on the SAMEAC board will be filled and, if so, what criteria is being used in the recruitment process?

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:50): I thank the honourable member for her question. It is a very important question. The legislation of SAMEAC was incorporated in 1980, and there has been no serious or significant review done since 1989. If you look at the legislation as well as the review period, we are looking at a 30 to 40-year period during which no significant review on SAMEAC has been done. The new government has come into power under Premier Steven Marshall—

The PRESIDENT: The member for Dunstan, Hon. Ms Lee.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: The member for Dunstan, in the other place. It is a great opportunity for us to really look at some of the new directions to create opportunities for our vibrant, multicultural community. I believe the opposition needs to get their facts right. The fact is that we have not sacked anybody on the board; their term will come to expire on 30 June.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.S. LEE: Like I said earlier, in response to the other council member, there are so many capable individuals who want to make a contribution to serve the new government. True leaders of the community will serve the community regardless of whether they are on the board or not. Some of those members have made contributions as part of the board for periods of 15 years, 14 years, 10 years, 11 years, 8 years or 6 years. They have been on the SAMEAC board for a long time and we, the new government, thank them sincerely for their efforts and contributions to service.

We, the new government, together with Premier Steven Marshall, hosted an appreciation lunch yesterday to thank the outgoing SAMEAC members. My role in this is that I have consulted with the wider community, the multicultural community, and spoken to many community members who have come forward with recommendations. The new board members have actually been appointed and letters have been sent out. You will read about them in a statement very soon.