Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-11-24 Daily Xml

Contents

STATE HERITAGE

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:31): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Urban Development and Planning a question on the subject of heritage.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Honourable members would be aware that, with the recent decision by the environment minister to remove Union Hall from the Heritage Register after it had been provided with interim listing by the Heritage Council, and with the reduction in funding to the heritage branch of DENR, there is concern, particularly among organisations such as the National Trust, that this government's attitude towards South Australian heritage will see it further marginalised and destroyed. Can the minister confirm whether there has been any discussion for the heritage branch, or portions of it, currently located within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to be moved to his department?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (14:31): I am aware that earlier this year there was a reshaping of portfolios, and there were some changes to agencies made at that time. There was some discussion as to where that agency would be but, as far as I understand it, decisions were taken at that time. A number of agencies were reshuffled but, as far as I am aware, there has been no recent discussion. However, I am happy to refer that to the environment minister to see whether or not it is still a live issue from his point of view. As far as I am concerned, decisions were taken when a number of government agencies were repositioned following the recent election, and those matters were resolved then.