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| Ian Gilfillan Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
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Legislative
Council |
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| Ian Gilfillan Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
Parliament Index |
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FISHERIES COMPLIANCE UNIT
The Hon. IAN GILFILLAN: I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney- General, representing the Minister for Primary Industries, a question about the Primary Industries and Natural Resources SA Fisheries Compliance Unit.
Leave granted.
The Hon. IAN GILFILLAN: It has recently been brought to my attention, from sources both within and outside the SA Fisheries Compliance Unit, that the unit is what one could describe as a sinking ship. The complaints from all the sources are strongly critical of the unit's management. They complain that, with 12 staff at headquarters at Birkenhead to manage 28 field officers, the unit is top heavy. The unit has undergone several restructures in the past eight years and so has been in a constant state of flux and turmoil. However, these changes have dismally failed to improve efficiency, effectiveness or productivity. Instead, it is described as chaos being the order of the day. Of prime concern is the shortage of operating staff, with the unit being forced to operate with just 26 fisheries in the field for the whole state. It is indicated to me that three redundancy packages have been offered, and further strain will be placed on the unit when the contracts of another three people expire in the near future.
I expressed concern about staff shortages in a question on 23 November last year. At a meeting at Blanchetown a little after that time, the then Director of Fisheries, Dr Gary Morgan, indicated the need for at least four compliance officers on the River Murray alone. There was but one at that stage, and he publicly admitted that there was a lack of resources regarding compliance officers.
Further, the abalone task force, set up after a recommendation from the senate select committee, has been dissolved. Given the conditions I have just outlined, it is not surprising that the morale within the unit is extremely low, and a large number of staff with a wealth of experience have abandoned the unit in the immediately recent past. I indicate to the Council that the people who have been communicating to me have no axe to grind, and they do not come with any rancour. They are making these comments because they believe it is long overdue that this whole situation be reformed.
My questions are:
1. Is the minister aware of the low morale amongst staff members of the compliance unit?
2. What is the reason for the frequent restructuring of the unit?
3. Has the minister commissioned an independent assessment of the management and effectiveness of the unit; if not, why not?
The Hon. K.T. GRIFFIN (Attorney-General): I will refer those questions to my colleague in another place and bring back a reply.
Read the Government Reply (15 May 2001).
