South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:05): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Assistant Minister to the Premier a question regarding the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Committee.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Yesterday, the Assistant Minister to the Premier advised the chamber that last Sunday she attended a function with selected members of the Indian community with a new SAMEAC member, Dr Sridhar Nannapenni, to 'conduct his own consultation and stakeholder engagement'. My question is: did Mr Nannapenni tell the guests at this function that he was shocked that he was appointed to the SAMEAC board as he neither applied for nor expressed interest in the position?

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:06): I thank the honourable member for his interest in SAMEAC. I don't believe those words saying that he was shocked or he did not apply for the position were actually mentioned in that way. There were many, many recommendations that came from multicultural communities across the board who wanted to apply or wanted to volunteer their services and make a contribution to serve the new government of South Australia.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: So he's a liar then?

The Hon. J.S. LEE: I think it's very insulting to come from the opposition members—

The Hon. I.K. Hunter interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Mr Hunter, allow the member to complete her answer.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: It's very insulting to come from the opposition, to question who has the calibre to be appointed on SAMEAC when they themselves never consulted when they appointed Grace Portolesi, the former member, to be on SAMEAC.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter interjecting:

The Hon. J.S. LEE: It's very insulting.