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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-05-12 Daily Xml
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South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:12): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Assistant Minister to the Premier regarding multicultural affairs.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Within 12 months of the last election, the government replaced all bar one of the current SAMEAC. This was done without expressions of interest, as acknowledged by the Premier in another place. On 7 May 2021, the government issued an invitation for expressions of interest regarding membership of the multicultural and ethnic commission (SAMEAC). This invitation was issued despite the bill before the parliament that could change the membership of the commission. My question to the assistant minister is: why is the government advertising for board members when the composition of the board is not yet settled because it is currently being considered by the parliament?

The PRESIDENT: The assistant minister has the call.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:13): I will take the question, Mr President.

The PRESIDENT: The Treasurer.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: I represent the Premier and the minister in relation to this particular issue in the chamber. The government's position in relation to this particular issue is that we are in preparation for all circumstances in relation to the expressions of interest. There are transitional provisions in relation to this legislation, depending on in what form and in what time or occasion it might pass the parliament, if it does. We will need to, as a government, either continue with the existing arrangements in relation to the commission or, if it is to be changed, in the government's model—that's one set of circumstances—or if the parliament so chooses to make amendments to make different arrangements.

This government is nimble, agile, flexible and also transparent and accountable, all of those very good attributes. The expressions of interest will assist the government in relation to achieving all those wonderful attributes and make available to the government, dependent on whatever the parliament so decides, the capacity to make appropriate appointments.

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