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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-06-22 Daily Xml
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QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (16:01): My question is to the Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management. Will the minister provide details about honours bestowed on outstanding South Australian public servants in the last Queen's Birthday honours?

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) (16:01): I am delighted to inform members that three South Australians working within the state government have received a Public Service Medal as part of this year's Queen's Birthday honours.

These three public servants—Richard John Dennis, Vanessa Swan and Steven Riley—have each been recognised for their considerable contribution in shaping South Australia. These worthy recipients are all dedicated and tireless in their respective pursuits, and their work has had a tremendous impact on the people of our state. I congratulate them on receiving this honour, and I thank them for being an inspiration to all of us through their passion and hard work.

I am sure that many people in this place would be well aware of the work of Mr Dennis. Richard has served the parliaments of South Australia, through his work in the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, for more than 25 years. His medal acknowledges his outstanding public service in the area of statutory interpretation and legislative drafting. Richard was appointed as parliamentary counsel in 2006 and represents South Australia on the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee, which oversees the drafting across jurisdictional national schemes.

Richard oversaw the drafting of the Health Care Act in 2008, a significant piece of legislation triggering reform of South Australia's public health system. His impact on the legislative fabric of this state has been enormous. On behalf of everyone in this place, I am sure, we congratulate Richard on being awarded this medal. We greatly appreciate the contribution he has made.

As Director of Yarrow Place, Vanessa Swan has been at the forefront of much debate on sex offence law reform, as well as procedural and practice change. Vanessa's medal acknowledges her outstanding public service in providing support to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Her dedication to working for the protection of women who have been subjected to rape, sexual assault and violence has spanned many years. Vanessa's contribution has been at both state and national levels, where she has provided leadership and policy development and strived to improve service delivery to victims.

Vanessa contributed to the development of the 'Time for Action: The National Council's Plan for Australia to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, 2009-21', a document that linked the sexual assault and domestic violence sectors for the first time. Vanessa has also been appointed to the Violence Against Women Advisory Group, which will oversee the implementation of this national plan.

Steven Riley's Public Service Medal recognises his outstanding public service in the arts, specifically in regard to the South Australian Museum. Since his appointment as General Manager of the South Australian Museum in 2000, Steven has transformed its business practices. During his tenure, the museum has experienced a 40 per cent increase in its visitor numbers, making it the second most visited museum in Australia. It is the top research museum in Australia, both in terms of research income and in research peer review publications. Steven has turned the South Australian Museum into a globally recognised institution of learning, fun and engagement. I trust that all members will join me in congratulating these three worthy recipients.

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