Off The Record: First cut not the deepest for public service

THIS week in our subscriber exclusive Off The Record column — Where will the axe fall next on SA’s public service? Why Christopher Pyne is probably glad Steven Marshall ignored his advice. And a two-dimensional icon of SA politics of being retired.

• Off The Record: Podcast

THIS week in Off The Record; Where will the axe fall next on SA’s public service?; Why Christopher Pyne is probably glad Steven Marshall ignored his advice and The Advertiser retires a two-dimensional icon of SA politics.

First cut not the deepest

LABOR allies among the top ranks of the public service who escaped this week’s “initial terminations” by the new Liberal government will be sweating on conversations about their “ongoing roles”.

After 16 years of Labor rule, there are plenty of executives who were close to the previous regime and now would be dreading becoming the victim of Premier Steven Marshall’s “changes of portfolio or responsibility”.

Speculation is rife about the future of SA Health chief executive Vickie Kaminski, the Canadian brought in to oversee the flawed Transforming Health project who now runs the Health Department after senior executives kept leaving.

Word is she is leaving the $551,145 job and being replaced by Chris McGowan, chief executive officer of Silver Chain, an in-home health and aged-care specialist, and South Australia’s Royal District Nursing Service.

Word is SA Health chief Vickie Kaminski will be replaced in the role. Picture: Simon Cross

But this move might have already been in place before the March 17 election and the Liberals might well throw a spanner into the works. Kaminski’s deputy Don Frater’s CV is unlikely to win favour among partisan Liberals. He is a long-term friend of former premier Jay Weatherill and was chief-of-staff to Senator Penny Wong when she was a federal Labor minister. He was previously an executive in Primary Industries and Premier and Cabinet.

State Development Department boss Mark Duffy will be nervous, despite being an Adelaide-raised and educated former pop singer.

He might not hit the high notes with the new government, which wants a new approach to economic development — not based on picking winners.

Duffy is a former director general, under Labor, of the New South Wales Water and Energy Department and previously was DPC’s chief economist.

Interestingly, the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption heard in 2013 that Duffy “had a relationship” (professional) with former Labor minister Eddie Obeid — now behind bars for misconduct in public office. ICAC exonerated Duffy finding he was an “unwitting’’ player in Obeid’s corrupt conduct. Another executive with a more traditional Labor background is Arts SA executive director Peter Louca, who was the ALP Mayo candidate in the 1996 federal election and was chief-of-staff to former health minister Jack Snelling. Of course, the Liberals long ago vowed to axe the Economic Development Board, which includes chairman Raymond Spencer, former Santos chief David Knox, UniSA vice-chancellor David Lloyd and former Liberal premier Rob Kerin.

Pyne told Marshall to stick to business

IF it had been left to the judgment of Defence Industries minister Christopher Pyne, Steven Marshall may never have become premier.

Marshall recalls the first time he went to see the senior federal Liberal about his ambition to leave the business world and run for the then seat of Norwood.

Pyne’s initial advice? “Businessmen don’t make good politicians.’’ Instead, Pyne advised, Marshall should remain in business and make a lot of money, which he could then contribute to the Liberal Party.

Pyne is probably now grateful his advice was ignored.

But the pictorial piece of history that we reveal today was taken in 2008 at Marshall’s first campaign meeting, when he was a Michell Wool executive and company director.

With him, right from the start, was James Stevens, who also was a Michell executive before becoming the Liberal leader’s chief of staff in early 2013.

Back in 2008, the pair were plotting to oust Labor’s Vini Ciccarello from Norwood.

Marshall won the seat at the 2010 election and then Norwood was renamed Dunstan for the 2014 election, in honour of former Labor premier Don Dunstan, who held Norwood from 1953-79.

Stevens posted the picture on Facebook after the election, appropriately declaring: “Congratulations, Premier Marshall.”

OFF THE RECORD: THE SA ELECTION PODCAST

Gone but not forgotten

THERE are many sad stories following any election loss but one in particular has hit The Advertiser very hard.

Yes, following Labor’s defeat at last week’s election The Advertiser is retiring its two cardboard cutouts of the now former Environment and Water Minister Ian Hunter.

The cutout became a regular and much-loved feature of the highways and byways of Adelaide as he travelled to the multitude of burst water mains that plagued the city.

The Advertiser’s famous cardboard cutout of former Labor minister Ian Hunter: Photo Cathy Davis

Indeed, cardboard Ian saw much more of the city than his human counterpart and was far more popular with the citizens he encountered. Many a time cardboard Ian was forced to pose for pictures with the punters. And many a time it was cruelly commented cardboard Ian was a much more effective water minister than his doppelganger.

So, farewell cardboard Ian. You will be missed. Not that his replacement as Water Minister David Speirs, who has just appointed former SA Health and Redback spinner Cullen Bailey as his chief-of-staff, should be too smug.

A caricature has already been drawn up for the new minister who has previously made news because taxpayers had to fork out around $50,000 to settle a bullying and harassment claim filed by his former office manager Helen Dwyer. The new minister denied any wrongdoing.

Builder to hit Casino jackpot

THE long-awaited expansion of Adelaide Casino appears to be edging closer with the appointment of a builder to oversee the $330 million project.

Off The R ecord understands Hansen Yuncken has pipped rivals Multiplex and Lendlease to the job — one of the biggest private sector investments in Adelaide’s history.

Tenders closed in December, with the three building heavyweights battling it out for the latest major project to change the face of North Tce.

Adelaide Casino General Manager Luke Walker. Photo: Tricia Watkinson

It’s a part of the city that’s become familiar to Hansen Yuncken, having previously delivered the $247 million Health Innovations Building for UniSA, and earlier completing the new Royal Adelaide Hospital alongside CPB Contractors.

Last month, Adelaide Casino general manager Luke Walker said on-site works would start in April, with completion due in mid-2020. Off The Record is taking bets that unlike the new RAH, the project will be delivered on time and on budget.

Treasurer backs his True Bloods

IF any sharp lobbyists want to network with new/returned Treasurer Rob Lucas, then we have a simple, guaranteed meeting place.

For countless years, Lucas has been all-but glued to his favourite spot at Richmond Oval (now known as City Mazda Stadium), watching his beloved Bloods — the West Adelaide Football Club.

Politely eschewing official hospitality invitations, Lucas stands about 3m from the players’ race — the measurement was probably 10 feet when his spectating career began — just in front of the grandstand.

Treasurer Rob Lucas with Premier Steven Marshall in the colours of their favourite SANFL clubs, West Adelaide and Norwood.

“It’s just where you get to abuse the umpires after they come off after crucifying West Adelaide,” Lucas jokingly told Off the Record, before remembering freshmen Liberal MPs Nick McBride and Richard Harvey might have done some umpiring and might be offended. More seriously, Lucas says the SANFL competition is a fine release from the pressures of politics.

“It’s a very good outlet after a busy week, either in parliament or else managing the books of the state,” he said.

After a disappointing 2017, Lucas is tipping a bright year under new coach Gavin Colville. Westies broke a 32-year premiership drought in 2015 but Lucas is not so sure when his AFL team, St Kilda, can repeat the 1966 premiership — the club’s only flag.