South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:46): My question is to the Assistant Minister to the Premier. Can you inform the council of the consultation process undertaken to select the new members of SAMEAC?

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:46): I thank the honourable member for his very important question. The selection process is very thorough. We consulted across the board with many community leaders and they have come up with a list of recommendations. Since then, of course, the Premier of South Australia, the Hon. Steven Marshall, member for Dunstan, in the other place, has made an announcement in the selection of new board members.

If I may indulge the council I will provide the list of the new board members that were selected, because I think it is great to highlight the qualities and calibre of the these board members. Norman Schueler was appointed as the chair of SAMEAC. Most of us would know Mr Norman Schueler. He is well-known in the Jewish community for his extensive business experience and valuable qualities in assisting the commission throughout the time that he has been with SAMEAC. Now he now continues to serve as the chair of SAMEAC. We are proud of him.

The deputy chair is Mrs Antonietta Cocchiaro. I think she is very well known to the chamber—many of you would know her. She is—

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Point of order, Mr President.

The PRESIDENT: Hon. Ms Scriven. Can the Parliamentary Secretary please sit down and I will hear the point of order.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: The assistant minister is providing information that is already in the public domain. The question was in regard to consultation.

The PRESIDENT: Minister, I have some sympathy for the point of order. Can you please consider the point of order when responding to the question?

The Hon. J.S. LEE: Certainly, Mr President. I have answered the question earlier in saying that it was a broad consultation with multicultural community groups across the board in South Australia to select and appoint those very high-calibre board members for SAMEAC.