SafeWork SA

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:23): Supplementary: does the Treasurer not concede that it is entirely inconsistent to claim to want to await recommendations before making decisions, while at the same time massively slashing the staff there and pre-determining what needs to be done before any recommendations are handed down?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:24): It doesn't surprise me, the lack of financial competence of the Leader of the Opposition, given that he was a member of an incompetent former Labor administration. We can actually chew gum and walk at the same time, so we will await the recommendations of the ICAC commissioner.

The new boss of SafeWork SA is implementing changes already, has been doing so since he was appointed, but of course when the recommendations come down we will have to give them due consideration in relation to what impact, if any, they might have on the operations of SafeWork SA. The Leader of the Opposition can rest assured the finances are in much safer hands these days than they were when his friend and colleague, the member for West Torrens, was in charge.