Trade, Tourism and Investment Department

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (15:08): My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Has a new chief executive for your department been appointed, and has your department's structure been finalised?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (15:08): Can I ask the honourable member: I have very much difficulty hearing him. He looks up when he starts his question, and then he goes right down like this and you can't hear him. So can he please repeat the question?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: I can't answer if I can't hear him.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Don't engage. Leader of the Opposition, minister, please stop exchanging.

The Hon. J.E. HANSON: My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Has a new chief executive for your department been appointed? Has the department structure been finalised?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: It's so good to hear it clearly. The selection process for a new chief executive is well under way. It is not quite complete, but it is well under way, and I hope that somewhere in the near future we will have some exciting announcements for the new chief executive. My understanding is that the restructure of the Department for Trade, Tourism and Investment is largely complete, but there is still some small finetuning to undergo. It is again a bit like the chief executive—well underway but not quite complete.