Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-03-01 Daily Xml

Contents

TOURISM COMMISSION

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (14:43): A supplementary question arising out of the answer: when was the minister first advised of the intention to restructure? The minister has just indicated the decision, but when was she advised it was intended to restructure the position to make it a part-time one and by whom?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (14:43): I and I am sure the board have also been putting their mind to these things for some time. I certainly have, so I have been contemplating what strategies might be available to assist the board to be able to deliver the efficiencies that it would need, since the Mid-Year Budget Review handed down a further saving requirement of $1.2 million.

So, I have been putting my mind to that and thinking through and looking at options since then and I am sure the board has been doing so as well. I know that they are an incredibly high-calibre board. We have a group of quite incredibly competent people who are very good at what they do, so I am sure that they have been putting their mind to these things as well. I have certainly been looking at what options are available. As I said—

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: But when did you have that first discussion?

The PRESIDENT: Order!