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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-11-08 Daily Xml
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TREASURER'S PORTFOLIO

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON (Croydon) (15:11): Can the Treasurer—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON: —please tell the house about his portfolio responsibilities since the recent ministerial reshuffle?

An honourable member: FOI it.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for MacKillop!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Treasurer, Minister for Workers Rehabilitation, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (15:11): The recent machinery of government changes to various departments has had no impact on the role and function of the Department of Treasury and Finance; however, my role and the ministerial reporting functions of my department have had some changes. I am pleased to tell the house that the government now has a Minister for Finance who will work very closely with me to focus on the service delivery and public—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: —administration functions of the Department of Treasury and Finance, including Shared Services, taxation administration, superannuation, the State Procurement Board, and some functions of the South Australian Financing Authority. The very able Minister for Finance (the honourable member for Napier) will have an important role overlooking—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! That's enough.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: —and ensuring that these key administrative functions of the department are delivered efficiently and effectively.

Acts committed to the Minister for Finance include the Taxation Administration Act, the First Home Owner Grant Act, the Superannuation Act, Southern State Superannuation Act, the Unclaimed Superannuation Benefits Act, the Parliamentary Superannuation Act, the Police Superannuation Act, the Judges' Pensions Act, The Governors' Pensions Act and the State Procurement Act.

As Treasurer, I will continue to focus on matters relating to taxation, economic and fiscal policy, including the critical role of managing the state budget, by prioritising and targeting our spending to ensure the state's long-term financial future. Other departmental areas I am responsible for under my portfolio responsibility as Treasurer are the Motor Accident Commission, Funds SA, the Essential Services Commission, the borrowing functions of SAFA, and electorate office matters.

I am also pleased to continue in the role of Minister for Workers Rehabilitation, allowing me to continue to oversee the direction of WorkCover, which manages the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme and aims to achieve positive outcomes for—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: —injured workers, employers and the South Australian community. The government is carrying out several important reforms to WorkCover to help injured workers return to work and provide incentives to employers. With the aim of improving efficiencies and service within the WorkCover scheme, a tendering process has commenced for the provision of future claims management and claims legal services. The current contracts with Employers Mutual and Minter Ellison expire in December of next year.

In addition to my responsibilities as Treasurer and Minister for Workers Rehabilitation, I am very happy that the Premier has given me back the responsibility for veterans' affairs and also the portfolio of Minister for Defence Industries—a very important portfolio for the future of jobs and our state economy. In my role as Minister for Veterans' Affairs, I will be helping our ex-service men and women and those who support them. The veterans' portfolio coordinates the state government's services to veterans across departments, including health, transport, disability and mental health, as well as providing local advice on programs, projects and funding for veterans and their families.

The portfolio also helps raise public awareness about the sacrifices made by South Australian veterans, with the government supporting initiatives such as the ANZAC Day Sporting Medals Pilot Program and the Veterans' Affairs Discretionary Fund. The government also has a Veterans' Advisory Council, which represents every ex-service organisation in South Australia and gives every member of the veterans' community a voice at the highest levels of government.

I am particularly pleased to have the defence industries portfolio, a portfolio that is of great importance and is in excellent shape, many thanks to the hard work of the member for Port Adelaide. Projects such as the air warfare destroyer program and the submarine program, both based at Techport (the nation's premier naval ship building yard), will help to increase employment in the defence industry. The government is supporting initiatives in maths and science to ensure we have a skilled workforce to help this industry grow.

The government is also working with the Defence Export Unit and Defence Teaming Centre to ensure that South Australian firms gain greater access into global supply chains, particularly for international programs such as the joint strike fighter project. We are continuing to pursue infrastructure initiatives to unlock industrial land required for the growth of the defence industry around our defence precincts of Techport Australia, Technology Park Adelaide and the Edinburgh Defence Precinct. It is hoped that all these initiatives will help to double the contribution defence industries makes to our economy. The decisions of the Premier to realign portfolios and agencies will assist the government to continue to deliver good results for South Australia.

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