Public Sector Employees

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:49): My question is to the Treasurer as the minister responsible for the public sector. Can the Treasurer outline the current targets and goals for Aboriginal employment in the public sector, the work, programs, policies and progress towards those goals and any additional information that might be of use to the council?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:50): I am happy to consult with my very wise colleague the Premier and minister with responsibility for Aboriginal affairs, together with the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment, for which I have responsibility in terms that she reports—

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Point of order: the Treasurer is, in fact, misleading the house. There isn't anyone who has the title of minister for Aboriginal affairs.

The PRESIDENT: The Treasurer was saying who he is going to consult.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: He said the minister for Aboriginal affairs and there's no such person.

The PRESIDENT: He is entitled to say who he is going to consult.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Point of order: the Treasurer is the minister responsible for the public sector and the office of public sector employment is the department responsible for this.

The PRESIDENT: I am waiting to listen to the Treasurer's answer.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: I am indebted to my learned colleagues the Leader of the Opposition and the Hon. Ms Franks for their erudite explanations of the portfolio responsibilities of the government. We are indebted to them for their advice; we are always grateful for advice.

Having received that erudite advice from my learned colleagues in the opposition and from the crossbenchers let me repeat myself. I will consult with my very wise colleague the Premier and the person who has ministerial responsibility for Aboriginal affairs and—as I was about to say, or I was saying—with the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment, who does report to me, albeit that she does have an independent position in relation to some of her responsibilities as the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment.

I will very happily bring back the specific targets and also what progress the government has made towards meeting those particular targets, and indeed the other aspects of the honourable member's question, and bring back a reply.