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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-10-27 Daily Xml
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LIQUOR AND GAMBLING COMMISSIONER

The Hon. P.L. WHITE (Taylor) (15:06): My question is to the Minister for Gambling. Can the minister inform the house about the appointment of South Australia's new Liquor and Gambling Commissioner?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Gambling, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:06): I thank the member for her question, and yes I can inform the house about our new commissioner. On Monday 19 October 2009, Mr Paul White began a five year term as the state's Liquor and Gambling Commissioner—no relation to the member for Taylor, of course.

Mr White only recently returned to South Australia after an eight year absence having served the people of the Northern Territory as police commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Fire and Emergency Services since late 2001. Mr White was responsible for the leadership, management and control of the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services, comprising approximately 1,800 employees. His hard work and tireless efforts have seen a 50 per cent fall in property crime in the territory, working hand-in-hand with an exceptional Labor government in the Northern Territory.

He leaves a mark in the fight against violent crime—in particular, domestic violence. Mr White is highly regarded and I am delighted that someone of his calibre has returned to our great state. He has already served the South Australian community for over 34 years, starting out as a police cadet in 1968 and having various roles within SAPOL before attaining the rank of assistant police commissioner in 1997. In 2000, Mr White was awarded the Australian Police Medal for distinguished and outstanding service to policing and the community.

Mr White's experience in South Australia and the Northern Territory has seen him develop an intrinsic understanding of the issues around problem gambling and alcohol that face our community, having overseen several strategic initiatives focusing on the most vulnerable. He will undoubtedly lead compliance and regulation of the liquor, gaming, casino, small lottery and charity industries in South Australia in a timely, well-organised and fair manner.

The Office of Liquor and Gambling Commissioner conducts inspections of each and every gaming venue, SA TAB outlet and bookmaker betting operations at racing events at least once per year to ensure compliance with the act, regulations and codes of practice. The casino's audit program is constantly monitored and there is better disclosure than ever before about collections and events that collect for a charitable purpose. I am certain that the vital role carried out daily by the OLGC will continue to improve under the watchful supervision of Mr Paul White.

I take this opportunity to congratulate and thank the outgoing acting commissioner, Mr Warren Lewis, for the outstanding job he did for the OLGC after the retirement of the former commissioner Mr Bill Pryor. Mr Lewis was constantly seeking to improve service delivery of the Office of Liquor and Gambling. He became acting commissioner after Mr Pryor retired after 21 years. He is a great public servant and an example to us all.

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