❓ A parliamentary question regarding budget cuts to the Aboriginal Economic Development Division (AEDD) and ministerial responsibility. The Minister for Indigenous Affairs deflects, stating the matter falls under the Treasurer's portfolio.
AnsweredQoN 444Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION — BUDGET
I thank the Premier for joining us. I refer to the Aboriginal economic development division, which is responsible for developing across the state a range of Aboriginal small businesses that allow people to break the poverty cycle and help themselves and their communities. (1) Does the minister support the Treasurer’s decision to reduce by 80 per cent the budget allocation for the Aboriginal economic development division? (2) Does he support the Minister for Commerce’s decision to wipe his hands of responsibility for the Aboriginal economic development division? (3) How many staff does the minister expect will lose their jobs or be redeployed as a result of this decision? (4) When was he first told about the cuts to the AEDD? Dr K.D. HAMES
I thank the Premier for joining us. I refer to the Aboriginal economic development division, which is responsible for developing across the state a range of Aboriginal small businesses that allow people to break the poverty cycle and help themselves and their communities. (1) Does the minister support the Treasurer’s decision to reduce by 80 per cent the budget allocation for the Aboriginal economic development division? (2) Does he support the Minister for Commerce’s decision to wipe his hands of responsibility for the Aboriginal economic development division? (3) How many staff does the minister expect will lose their jobs or be redeployed as a result of this decision? (4) When was he first told about the cuts to the AEDD? Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) As members opposite are aware, questions to ministers should relate to their portfolios. I have to say that the question does not relate to my portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
(1) Does the minister support the Treasurer’s decision to reduce by 80 per cent the budget allocation for the Aboriginal economic development division? (2) Does he support the Minister for Commerce’s decision to wipe his hands of responsibility for the Aboriginal economic development division? (3) How many staff does the minister expect will lose their jobs or be redeployed as a result of this decision? (4) When was he first told about the cuts to the AEDD? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As members opposite are aware, questions to ministers should relate to their portfolios. I have to say that the question does not relate to my portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
(2) Does he support the Minister for Commerce’s decision to wipe his hands of responsibility for the Aboriginal economic development division? (3) How many staff does the minister expect will lose their jobs or be redeployed as a result of this decision? (4) When was he first told about the cuts to the AEDD? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As members opposite are aware, questions to ministers should relate to their portfolios. I have to say that the question does not relate to my portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
(3) How many staff does the minister expect will lose their jobs or be redeployed as a result of this decision? (4) When was he first told about the cuts to the AEDD? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As members opposite are aware, questions to ministers should relate to their portfolios. I have to say that the question does not relate to my portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
(4) When was he first told about the cuts to the AEDD? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As members opposite are aware, questions to ministers should relate to their portfolios. I have to say that the question does not relate to my portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As members opposite are aware, questions to ministers should relate to their portfolios. I have to say that the question does not relate to my portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
(1)-(4) As members opposite are aware, questions to ministers should relate to their portfolios. I have to say that the question does not relate to my portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
(1) Does the minister support the Treasurer’s decision to reduce by 80 per cent the budget allocation for the Aboriginal economic development division? (2) Does he support the Minister for Commerce’s decision to wipe his hands of responsibility for the Aboriginal economic development division? (3) How many staff does the minister expect will lose their jobs or be redeployed as a result of this decision? (4) When was he first told about the cuts to the AEDD? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As members opposite are aware, questions to ministers should relate to their portfolios. I have to say that the question does not relate to my portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
(2) Does he support the Minister for Commerce’s decision to wipe his hands of responsibility for the Aboriginal economic development division? (3) How many staff does the minister expect will lose their jobs or be redeployed as a result of this decision? (4) When was he first told about the cuts to the AEDD? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As members opposite are aware, questions to ministers should relate to their portfolios. I have to say that the question does not relate to my portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
(3) How many staff does the minister expect will lose their jobs or be redeployed as a result of this decision? (4) When was he first told about the cuts to the AEDD? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As members opposite are aware, questions to ministers should relate to their portfolios. I have to say that the question does not relate to my portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
(4) When was he first told about the cuts to the AEDD? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As members opposite are aware, questions to ministers should relate to their portfolios. I have to say that the question does not relate to my portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) As members opposite are aware, questions to ministers should relate to their portfolios. I have to say that the question does not relate to my portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
(1)-(4) As members opposite are aware, questions to ministers should relate to their portfolios. I have to say that the question does not relate to my portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
Dr K.D. HAMES : People are making the point that if anything happens to be related to an Aboriginal person in the state, it automatically makes it the responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. That is not so. In the same way, if a question related to Indigenous violence or incarceration, it would be asked of the Minister for Police or the Attorney General. If the matter related to Indigenous education, the question would be asked of the Minister for Education, even if it was about an Aboriginal person. The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
The committee was first formed by the Leader of the National Party and was located in his department of commerce and trade. It did an excellent job and a great deal of work in encouraging employment for Aboriginal people. I have not been involved with that committee because it is not the direct responsibility of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. I think the question should be directed to the Treasurer, who had responsibility for that committee.
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