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Mrs PENFOLD (Flinders): Recently I brought to the attention of the house the predicament of Consumers SA, South Australia's volunteer consumer watchdog. This organisation had received a small amount of funding to pay a part-time staff person and had its newsletter, Consumer's Voice, printed by the department of consumer affairs. The department has ceased printing the newsletter because of budget constraints, and government funding for the part-time worker has not been confirmed past the end of this month. Today during question time I brought to the attention of the house how the budget delay is preventing autistic children from accessing the support that they and their families so desperately need. These effects of the budget delay are being felt in all sectors of people's lives, and one cannot help but wonder whether the government is waiting to see who protests. If no protests are heard or are muted, will these funds be cut altogether when we finally see this long delayed budget? I now draw the attention of the house to yet another budget in limbo. I recently visited Precision Labels Pty Ltd, one of the largest and most modern wine labelling manufacturers in South Australia, which is located at Regency Park, to see for myself the incredible benefits I had heard about with respect to the Department of Trade and Economic Development supported Quick Changeover Competition. This competition, which is run by Peter Cesco, is helping to improve the efficiency of our businesses to enable them to survive and grow in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. At my original briefing I commented on how I had seen similarly motivated staff and efficiency as described at the R.M. Williams factory that I had visited with SA Great only a few weeks before. I was told that it had won this competition three years previously. The benefits are obviously great and long lasting for both these factories and their fantastic staff and augur well for their survival into the future. I would like to see this competition extended to as many businesses as possible, and not only manufacturing businesses. I could envisage that other businesses, including retail, agricultural, fishing, and even offices, would benefit from similar programs. However, I am very concerned that the funding the competition is currently receiving is on a monthly basis, which provides no security for anyone involved, and I would like to see this rectified by the minister as soon as possible to enable proper business planning into the future to be undertaken. I am well aware that the budget has been delayed until September. However, leaving programs in which the government is involved hanging because of an arbitrary decision of the government to delay the budget is not good business practice and is not fair on the people involved. It does not give a good impression of the government's financial ability or understanding of the need for security and continuity for people and businesses in the real world. To provide an understanding of this competition, I will read from the brochure provided for this year's 2005‑06 competition. The brochure states: The 2006/07 Quick Changeover Competition provides industry with an incentive to reduce changeover times and provides a vehicle to encourage and train shop floor personnel to gain an understanding of operational efficiency in their specific work area. Last year's competitors made direct financial gains of approximately $15 million for their companies, averaging direct financial savings of $672K and reducing changeover times by 69 per cent. The winners of last year's competition give us an idea of the high calibre of the businesses entering the competition. The overall winner, and winner of the Print Ink division, was the Detmold-Holweg 2 team, which reduced an eight hour one minute changeover to 30 minutes 20 seconds. This 93 per cent improvement will save $155 610 this year if it is maintained, and it will be rolled out to one similar machine. The Print Converting Division was won by Amcor Cartons. The Automotive Suppliers Award for Excellence was presented to the Castalloy-Warrill team. The Innovation Award was presented to the Penfolds-Fosters Wine Estates team. The Plastic Moulding Award was presented to Caroma Industries. The Food and Beverage Award was presented to Yalumba. The Metal Stamping Award was presented to Carr Components. The Miscellaneous Division Award was presented to the Castalloy-Warrill team, which reduced a four hour 30 second changeover to 48 minutes 50 seconds. And the Graham Spurling Award for Sustained Excellence was presented to Electrolux, which will save $2 700 000 this year through the six machines entered.
Mrs PENFOLD (Flinders): Will the Minister for Consumer Affairs guarantee that volunteer consumer watchdog Consumers' SA will receive the $38 000 it has requested before 30 June or, at the very least, provide it with interim funding if it is to be delayed because of the unprecedented four‑month delay in the budget? The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Minister for Consumer Affairs): I thank the member for Flinders for her question. I know that she is an incredibly busy shadow member, and it is pleasing to receive a question from her about consumer affairs. I understand that the member had a briefing this week with the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, when she indicated how overloaded she is with her portfolio responsibilities, and I know that this one (as I think she remarked to one of my staff members) is fairly low on her priorities. So, clearly, this has been lifted, and I am pleased to have the question from her. I have received a submission— An honourable member interjecting: The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: No, I did not say it. The member for Flinders said it. The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will get on with her answer. The minister has the call. The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: I have a request before me that is being considered in relation to funding for that organisation. We are working through the issues with respect to that matter, and the organisation will be advised as soon as possible. |
E-mail address:
flinders.portlincoln@parliament.sa.gov.au
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