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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-02-14 Daily Xml
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ONE AND ALL

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (16:59): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question on the subject of the tall ship One and All to the Minister for Youth in his capacity in that role and also as representative of the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: This morning, after some six months plus of an uncertain future and hidden from public view at the Royal SA Yacht Squadron, the iconic South Australian treasure the One and All tall ship sailed to meet the replica Endeavour in the waters off Port Adelaide—a glorious sight but sadly one that has become too rare. I am sure all members know the One and All has been helping young South Australians since 1985 through its youth development program. It has challenged thousands of young people to surpass their self-expectations, allow them the opportunity to learn about themselves and positive interaction with others, undertaking this exercise on average for some 22 days of each calendar year.

In July of last year, local company SA Tall Ships went into liquidation. At the time the man who ran the crew and maintenance program, Mr Peter Roberts, was reported in The Advertiser as saying:

It took us two years to put together this calibre of crew, who are not only good at sailing the ship but have extraordinary skills at managing youth. These people can turn these kids around in the space of a week. They've got to look for other jobs and then they'll be gone. That would be tragic.

It has been tragic. Over six months on, most of the crew have been lost to the One and All, and six months since the tenders closed in mid-August 2011 the One and All continues to languish. Despite assurances given at the time that the department was making every effort to finalise this process as soon as possible, we are losing this unique combination of skills and expertise in both sailing and youth development. It is a tragic loss to our state.

Moreover, the location of the tall ship in the Royal SA Yacht Squadron has actually made necessary maintenance difficult. I understand that, for example, the ship's pin rail needs to be replaced in order for it to meet survey requirements but this cannot be done in that location. I am pleased to see it out of that location for the day and hope that it will not be returning there. My questions to the minister are:

1. In the future, will voyages that help turn around the lives of at risk youth remain the primary process of the One and All?

2. What undertakings do you make on behalf of the youth of our state to approach the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure to ensure that the appointment of a new operator will be made with great urgency and, if so, when will the appointment of a new operator be announced?

3. Has the tender process actually been unsuccessfully completed?

4. Has it failed?

5. Will there be a further tender or will the government use another means to find an appropriate operator? If so, what will that process be?

6. In the meantime, given this has taken such an inordinately lengthy time, will the minister approach the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure to at least grant that as of today the One and All stays in public view in Port Adelaide and is located to better provide for the facilities needed to conduct the necessary repairs and maintenance to that tall ship which has now languished for over half a year?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (17:02): I thank the honourable member for her very important eight questions, I think I have added them up to be. If I missed one, you will have to refresh my memory. The honourable member in her question did say that Tall Ships Inc. went into liquidation and ceased operation. The government has been very concerned to work with Tall Ships Inc. over the past to ensure that they could continue their operations but it was not to be.

I should briefly outline how the government has in fact assisted Tall Ships Inc. in their very important program. In 2008, the government approved $2.25 million for the purpose of refurbishing the One and All to ensure that the ship retained its certificate of survey and registration from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Following approval of the funds to refurbish the ship, SA Tall Ships Inc. requested additional funding from the state government, in particular through the Office for Youth, for another $300,000 per annum for four years to support the annual participation of young people in youth development. This request far exceeded the amount of grant funding through the Office for Youth. However, Tall Ships Inc. was successful in receiving a youth engagement grant totalling $60,000 for three years. This funding, of course, has expired.

In March 2010, Tall Ships Inc. requested another $150,000 in additional funding from the state government due to their financial difficulties, and cabinet approved that request, I am advised, in early July 2010. In March 2011, Tall Ships Inc. requested a further $150,000, and in submissions of 27 June 2011, cabinet was advised of the arrangements for the operation of the One and All, including a new call for tender to operate the vessel.

The government has been anxious at all times to assist that company in running its venture, but the company, as we said, has gone into liquidation. However, we are still very keen to see whether we cannot get a new management for the ship through a tender process. That tender process, I think, was finalised last year. My understanding is that the department of planning, trade and infrastructure (as it then was) is currently briefing the minister on the outcomes of that tender process.

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