Former Labor minister John Hill and ABC broadcaster Peter Goers leave government board roles

Former Labor minister John Hill and arts identity Peter Goers will leave prominent State Government boards and be replaced by a business leader-turned filmmaker and a respected arts manager.

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Former Labor minister John Hill and arts identity Peter Goers will leave prominent State Government boards and be replaced by business leader Peter Hanlon and respected arts manager Ian McRae.

In the latest example of the Liberals stamping their authority over prized government roles, Mr Hill will not be reappointed as South Australian Film Corporation presiding member when his term expires on December 1.

His replacement, BankSA chairman and former Westpac executive Peter Hanlon, is also a director of Adelaide-based independent film production company Living Not Beige Films.

BankSA chairman and independent film maker Peter Hanlon

Mr Goers, an ABC broadcaster and Sunday Mail columnist, will leave the Adelaide Festival Corporation Board after eight years because terms are limited to nine years, so he could not be reappointed for another three.

He will be replaced by Australian National Academy of Music chairman Ian McRae, who was The Australian Ballet’s general manager from 1991-2002.

Both Mr Hill and Mr Goers told The Advertiser they had been honoured to serve, wished their successors well and did not criticise the decisions.

Peter Goers at Her Majesty's Theatre in March. (AAP Image/ Brenton Edwards)

Premier Steven Marshall said Mr Hanlon had a wealth of experience as a successful businessman, with enormous experience as a producer, director and writer in the film industry.

“Mr Hanlon’s work within the film industry, combined with decades of experience across multiple advisory positions, make him highly suitable for this role,” Mr Marshall said, in a written statement.

“I’d like to sincerely thank outgoing member John Hill for his contributions to the South Australian film industry during his time as chair and wish him all the best in future endeavours.”

Former Labor minister John Hill with the-then premier Jay Weatherill in 2016. Picture Mark Brake

Mr Marshall, also Arts Minister, also praised new SA Film Corp board member Anton Andreacchio, a pioneer in virtual reality, as a producer and entrepreneur with experience across a range of media industries.

Commenting on Mr McRae’s appointment, Mr Marshall said he would bring “an unquestionable wealth of knowledge and experience to the Adelaide Festival (Corporation) Board”.

“Mr McRae exudes a real sense of passion and commitment to music and the arts, which is something we value here in South Australia,” Mr Marshall said.

“The Adelaide Festival Board has greatly benefited from the work of Peter Goers OAM, who has championed the arts in South Australia for his entire career — I thank him for his services over the years.”

Australian theatre legends (L-R) Susan Provan, Reg Livermore, Jim Sharman, Robyn Archer and Ian McRae, were honoured in November last year, the centenary year of industry organisation Live Performance Australia. Picture. Hollie Adams/The Australian

Several Labor identities have not been reappointed to government boards since the Liberal election victory in March. They include former treasurer Kevin Foley and former state Labor deputy leader and senator Annette Hurley.

As presiding member of the SA Film Corp, Mr Hill was paid a session fee of $885, which could not exceed an annual total of $10,614.

Mr Goers’ session fee, as an Adelaide Festival board member, was $590 and this could not exceed $7076 annually.

Mr Hill said the Film Corp was in good shape, having achieved a record share of national screen production expenditure in the past financial year, more than trebling from 3 per cent to 10 per cent in its third-consecutive year of growth.

Mr Goers said: “I’ve done my time and I very much enjoyed it. I was sorry to leave but I wish it (the Festival board) well.”