Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-06-03 Daily Xml

Contents

APY Executive

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:03): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation questions about the status of the general manager's position on the APY lands.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: The minister would be well aware of the episode in February this year which resulted in the suspension of APY lands general manager Sean McCarthy. In fact, it is my understanding that Mr McCarthy was actually the acting general manager, due to the resignation of the previous general manager. My questions are:

1. Can the minister update the council on the status of the general manager's position?

2. Does the minister believe it is acceptable that a new appointee would result in the fifth general manager in four years?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:04): I was taking a moment to try to remind myself of the name of the new general manager who has just been appointed. I met him on Monday in Victoria Square for a barbecue, at the last formal event of Reconciliation Week; I have to say that his name escapes me right now. My understanding is that the APY Executive—

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: Well, get a text message—or Gail will get a text message for you.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I'm waiting for one. My understanding is that the APY Executive has made a decision about appointing a replacement general manager. That has been conveyed to my office for approval of his conditions, which is all, apparently, that I am allowed to do under the APY Land Rights Act. That approval has been given in writing, and I will come back with the gentleman's name when I get a text message.