Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-03-05 Daily Xml

Contents

THOROUGHBRED RACING SA

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (14:50): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Premier a question about Thoroughbred Racing SA.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: I refer to an article in last Saturday's Advertiser headed 'Kiwi chief new boss of TRSA' in which the Chairman of Thoroughbred Racing SA, Mr Philip Bentley, announced that Jim Watters from New Zealand had been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer. I refer to another recent appointment to a board involving Mr Bentley, namely that of the new Deputy CEO of WorkCover, Mr Jeff Matthews, also of New Zealand. My questions are:

1. What was the selection criteria for the appointment of the new CEO?

2. Given the Premier's recent commitment to promoting the use of South Australian and Australian businesses in these tough economic times, how many applicants were considered for the position and how many of those were from Australia?

3. Does the Premier agree that there are no suitable applicants in Australia to take on executive positions on South Australian boards?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (14:50): I will refer those questions to the Premier in another place and bring back a reply.