PUBLIC SECTOR WAGES

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (14:57): My question is to the Premier. Why has the number of government funded fat cats paid between $100,000 and the highest figure of $640,000 grown from 782 (when his government came to office) to 3,044—up 45 per cent on last year's figure and up fourfold since Labor came to office? On 891 Radio on 8 February 2002, the member for Ramsay when leader of the opposition said:

...one of the things we are going to do is cut 50 fat cats...we've seen a massive explosion in the number of agencies where there's been a huge increase in exec. positions...In 96 there were 243 execs paid $100,000 or more...2001, there were 636 and it's rising fast...

It's sure rising fast—3,000!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Federal/State Relations) (14:59): Sir, you know that some days when you come to work you are going to have a fun day, and I am having one of them. You are right; salaries have been rising over the past six years—that is called wage inflation. A couple of things—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Hang on, what a public servant was earning six years ago compared to what they are earning today is a very important point. From the start, I say that that $100,000 includes salary and superannuation.

Mr Hamilton-Smith interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Well, it could be a big difference.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I am just making the point that a $100,000 headline actually includes a superannuation component, so their salary could be well under. I just say that as a fact. Let us have a look at this. In 2002 a state member of parliament earned $93,000 as their base salary. It goes quiet now! By 2007, a base salary for an MP is $125,060. The leader is saying, 'It's good enough for my base salary to go over $100,000 but no-one else's.' What a hypocrite!

The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Premier will withdraw the word 'hypocrite'.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I apologise, sir. The word 'hypocrite' is unparliamentary. I unreservedly withdraw. The Leader of the Opposition is saying, 'It's okay for my base salary to go from $93,600 six years ago to $125,000 today, but it's not okay for a police officer, a primary school teacher or a nurse.'

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Well, the deputy leader says, 'They don't get paid that.'

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: In 2002, 149 education staff earned more than $100,000. By 2007 the number was 605. Do you know what I am told, sir? Most of these people are principals of our schools.

Ms Chapman: But they don't teach in the classroom.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: The deputy leader just said that they are not teachers in the classroom. Under the interpretation of the Leader of the Opposition and the deputy leader, a school principal is a fat cat.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! There is a point of order.

Mr PENGILLY: The Treasurer is clearly debating the issue.

The SPEAKER: I do not think he is.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! In any case, if he was, he was merely responding to an interjection from the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I suggest that members on my left do not interject. The Deputy Premier.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I am sure that the Minister for Education and Children's Services will be quicker than me on this one. However, we will get the message out that the opposition considers primary and secondary school principals to be fat cats—not deserving of their salary. But do you know who else has got a big increase? South Australian police officers.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: This is very important, so listen to this. In 2002, 20 police officers were on salaries exceeding $100,000. In 2007, 434 police officers in uniform are earning more than $100,000. They are police commanders, police chief superintendents and superintendents. All these officers were earning under $100,000 back in 2002. I have identified school principals and the men and women in uniform protecting our state who are now classified by the opposition as fat cats. I will make sure all those officers in fine uniform know that they do not deserve that salary; that they are fat cats; that school principals are fat cats. Not only have you demeaned the responsibilities and the important tasks of many public servants but you are now demeaning the role of our police and our principals. But you are quite happy to get an increase in your base salary. Who really is the fat cat?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for West Torrens will come to order.

Mr Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I was calling the member for West Torrens to order. I was not giving him the call.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I am on my feet. I expect the house to come to order when I am on my feet. The member for Norwood.