Premier Rann must explain publicly his reasons for continually appointing so many people with connections to the Labor Party to key Government Boards and Committees.
Liberal Member of the Legislative Council Rob Lucas said today it was clear that if you were a ‘Labor Mate’ or had a close association with the Labor Party, your chances of appointment were much greater.
The attached table lists some of the more prominent appointments, but there were literally dozens of others which could be listed, including union leaders, Labor Party members and ‘fellow travellers’.
“Whilst some of the appointments could be defended, it is clear some of the appointees have no knowledge of or little connection with the Board to which they have been appointed,” Mr Lucas said.
“This is just another example of the Rann Government’s arrogance as it believes it can do whatever it likes in relation to appointments. These criticisms have been raised before and Mr Rann has just thumbed his nose at his critics.
“Furthermore, the need for transparency in all of these issues is obvious when, for example, Nick Bolkus (who, together with his wife Mary Patetsos, appear to have up to eight appointments) acts as a lobbyist for a number of groups dealing with the Rann Government and he is also the Chair of the Labor Party’s fundraising arm, SA Progressive Business Inc.
“Mr Rann could assist the argument for transparency by explaining what skills and experience in stormwater management Mr Bolkus had before Mr Rann appointed him as the Chair of the Stormwater Management Authority.
“In my view, many hard working volunteers who give countless hours for no recompense on many grassroots boards and committees are more entitled to payment than some of these Labor appointments.”
Name Connection Board/Committee Rate ($)
Suzanne Roux Wife, Chris Sumner Chair, Premier’s Council for Women (up to February 2008) 190/session
Member, SA Strategic Plan Community Engagement Board 160/session
Grant Belchamber Current Senior Research Officer, ACTU Member, Economic Development Board 45,000
Member, Major Projects Facilitation Group 40,000
Bob Hawke Former ALP Prime Minister Member, Economic Development Board 0
Mike Moore Former Prime Minister of New Zealand Member, Economic Development Board 45,000
Mary Patetsos Wife, Nick Bolkus Member, SA Housing Trust Board of Management (12 meetings per year) 18,700
Member, SA Local Government Grants Commission (15 mpy) 13,570
Member, Premier’s Social Inclusion Board (6 mpy) 9,050
Member, Public Space Advisory Committee (3 mpy) 140/session
Member, SA Affordable Housing Trust Board of Management Unknown
Alexander Gallacher Secretary/Treasurer SA/NT Branch TWU Director, Motor Accident Commission (12 mpy) 24,200 + 3,600
Member, Motor Accident Commission Investment Committee (6 mpy) 3,640
Greg Crafter Former ALP Member for Norwood and Minister Chair, SA Centre for Trauma and Injury Recovery 12,100
Member, Passenger Transport Standards Committee 280/session
Member, SA Affordable Housing Trust Board of Management Unknown
Geoff Buckland Former ALP Senator Director, Adelaide Cemeteries Authorities Board 9,500
Geoff Loveday Long term ALP staffer Member, Development Assessment Commission 9,500
Commissioner of Charitable Funds 9,050
Jeremy Moore Former ALP candidate for Legislative Council (2002) Chair, Port Waterfront Redevelopment Committee 575/session
President, Guardianship Board Unknown
Moira Deslandes Former Chief of Staff to Trish White and ALP candidate for Mawson Member, Medical Board of SA 7,450
Member, Public Space Advisory Committee 140/session
Martyn Evans Former State Member for Elizabeth, Former Federal Member for Bonython and State Minister Chair, Advanced Directives Committee Unknown
Chair, Public Space Advisory Committee 160/session
Member, SA Council on Reproductive Technology 160/session
Barbara Deed Former ALP staffer Member, Land Management Corporation 24,200
Nick Bolkus Former ALP Senator and Minister Chair, Stormwater Management Committee (up to July 2007) (6 mpy) 190/session
Chair, Playford North Steering Committee 12,100
Member, Healthy Living Committee Unknown
Rosemary Crowley Former ALP Senator and Minister Chair, Power Line Environment Committee 4,840
Chair, Council for Care of Children 190/session
Chair, Ministerial Advisory Board on Ageing 190/session
Carolyn Pickles Former ALP MLC Chair, Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service 15,000 + 5,050
Member, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra Board 0
Member, Health Performance Council Unknown
Anne Levy Former ALP MLC and Minister Member, SA Country Arts Trust 140/session
Member, Dame Roma Mitchell Trust Fund for Children and Young People Board 0
Presiding Member, Genetically Modified Crops Advisory Committee 160/session
Member, Board of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium 9,500
Mark Butler Federal ALP Member for Port Adelaide Director, SA Tourism Commission Board 12,100
Member, Industrial Relations Advisory Committee 160/session
Phil Bentley Long time association with Labor Governments Chair, WorkCover Corporation Board of SA (10 mpy) 65,320
Presiding Member, Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Advisory Committee (6 mpy) 6,900
Chair, WorkCover Corporation of SA Board of Management Workplace Injury Committee (4 mpy) 9,798
Presiding Member, Mining and Quarrying Occupational Health and Safety Committee (10 mpy) 160/session
Don Farrell ALP Senator, former Secretary SDA SA Branch Member, Safework SA Advisory Committee (6 mpy) 9,500
Sandra De Poi Long time association with Labor Governments Member, WorkCover Corporation Board of SA (10 mpy) 32,660
Member, WorkCover Corporation of SA Board of Management Workplace Injury Committee (4 mpy) 4,899
Member, Homestart Finance Board of Management (12 mpy) 18,700
Wayne Goss Former ALP Qld Premier Chair, Government Reform Commission (up to 2008) 75,000
Frank Blevins Former ALP Member for Giles and Minister Director, SA Water Corporation Board (14 mpy) 32,660
Member, SA Water Corporation Board Audit Committee (6 mpy) 4,899
Member, Adelaide Parklands Authority Board of Management 40/hour
Tony Zappia Federal ALP Member for Makin Member, Development Assessment Commission 9,500
Member, Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Advisory Board 140/session
Mary-Lou Corcoran Former ALP candidate for Finniss (2006) Member, Coast Protection Board 160/session
Terence Groom Former ALP Member for Hartley and Minister Member, Motor Accident Commission 24,200
Peter Malinauskas Secretary SDA SA Branch Member, WorkCover Corporation Board of SA 32,660 + 4,899
Information accurate as at 30 June 2007 – “Government Boards and Committees” as tabled in Parliament
Information also taken from Government Gazette and recent media reports
