Massive Shake up for SA Tourism
The South Australian Tourism Commission has been ordered to cut $1.2 million from its spending. Tourism minister Gail Gago said there was “no way” the current structure of the commission could deliver the savings needed – savings she described as “significant”.
She said new tourism chief executive Jane Jeffreys was about to review the organisation and a whole new restructure.
“The board has unanimously recommended changes to the organisation that I believe will not only produce savings but also lead to a revitalised operational structure for SATC,” the minister said. “Earlier today the board and I recommended to the governor that the current chief executive position be restructured, and that a new part-time chief executive be appointed to create efficiencies within the commission and drive the savings target.”
Ian Darbyshire, the sacked CEO, is to be paid for the remainder of his contract, worth about $200,000 and is to be replaced by chairwoman Jane Jeffreys on a part-time basis, while the organisation goes through an efficiency drive.
The SATC has been riddled with problems of late, including a failed outsourcing of the travel centre in Adelaide, a bungle in the printing of tourism brochures and a $400,000 bailout of a Kangaroo Island surf festival held last year. The tourism industry has been rocked in the past week by the sacking of Mr Darbyshire and the government’s decision to take back the running of the tourism visitor centre in Grenfell St after privatising it.
“It’s about delivering a much flatter, more efficient structure,” Ms Gago said. “We need to make real structural savings and we need to start delivering savings.”
Ms Gago said the restructuring strategy for the organisation would be delivered within the next six to 12 months.
“I would also like to reassure tourism operators that the Government remains committed to supporting and promoting this major industry,” Ms Gago insisted.
Gail Gago
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