Regions worried about SA push to abolish government boards, committees
Regional communities have been assessing the likely impact of the South Australian Government's plan to scrap more than 100 government boards and committees, and modify dozens more.
The Government has long relied on advice from a range of industry bodies, environment groups and multicultural advisers as it deals with issues affecting regional areas.
Marian Woodberry from the Regional Communities Consultative Council, which is set to disappear, has a clear message for the Labor Government.
"Government doesn't finish at Gawler [on Adelaide's northern outskirts]," she said.
"It is disappointing because I really think we were quite a conduit between the grassroots people and the Government."
Justin Phillips of the Rock Lobster Advisory Council said the industry would try to re-establish the fishery's management advisory committee under its own steam.
"We believe it plays a critical role in providing coordinated fisheries management advice to both the Government and the [Fisheries] Minister," he said.
Changes will affect regional health
Health Advisory Councils, which advocate for South Australian country hospitals and support their fundraising efforts, will be re-classified as non-government boards.
Heather Burton of the Renmark/Paringa Health Advisory Council said that raised a number of questions.
"We haven't really received any information about this other than what's in the media," she said.
"My guess is that as incorporated bodies we can't be abolished easily."
Gambling addiction is an issue of wide concern, but independent MLC John Darley said a committee set up a year ago to get hotels and welfare groups together would be cut by the Government.
"They didn't even understand what it was going to do for a start, but they were prepared to pass it into law," he said.
"All of a sudden, because they're penny-pinching, they're now going to cancel it without even setting it up."
Mr Darley said it was meant to advise the Government about how money from the state gamblers' rehabilitation fund should be spent.
The Government has promised its changes to a wide number of the current 429 committees, boards and tribunals would improve community access to decision-makers and reduce red tape.
It plans to finalise the changes and put legislation to the Parliament before the end of the year.
