House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-08-06 Daily Xml

Contents

Small Business Commissioner

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart) (14:56): My question is for the Minister for Small Business, and I ask that the minister explain the circumstances surrounding the resignation of the Small Business Commissioner which the minister announced yesterday.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:56): Yesterday I informed the house that the former small business commissioner, Mr Mike Sinkunas, had tendered his resignation to me and he said, and I quote, 'I wish to tender my resignation from the position of small business commissioner, effective 25 July 2014.' He states in his letter to me, 'For personal and family reasons I am retiring after 40 years in the workforce. I appreciate your willingness to accept a shorter period of notice.'

Then he goes on to thank me for my personal support however, I can inform the parliament that there is an investigation into the conduct of the Office of the Small Business Commissioner towards staff within that office. It should be noted that no allegations against Mr Sinkunas have been found or proven, but he has tendered his resignation.

The SPEAKER: Supplementary.