House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-03-07 Daily Xml

Contents

South Australian Museum

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:57): My question is to the Minister for Arts. Is the minister aware of the financial position of the South Australian Museum, and has she received any advice about potential staff cuts? With your leave and that of the house, sir, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Recent board minutes released under FOI include a report from the chair highlighting a $1.1 million deficit in the museum's budget. This deficit follows budget cuts arising from last year's budget at a time of significant cost blowouts, including in insurance following a new appraisal of the value of the museum's collection. The opposition has been advised that at least 10 jobs are now at risk unless the government revisits its budget cuts.

The Hon. A. MICHAELS (Enfield—Minister for Small and Family Business, Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, Minister for Arts) (14:58): I can take the details on notice, but the museum, as are a number of our institutions, is facing significant efficiency savings targets, primarily from the Liberal Marshall government, that they are trying to deal with. They are significantly higher percentage—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Schubert!

The Hon. A. MICHAELS: They are significantly higher percentage savings targets under the former Liberal government than ours. They are dealing with it in the way that the board would ordinarily deal with those matters in trying to reach their savings targets, and all options are on the table. I have not had any recent reports. I do not think I have met the museum chair since potentially late last year, but I will take that on notice.