ADELAIDE CITY COUNCIL

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:06): My question is to the Minister for the City of Adelaide. Does the minister, as a former Lord Mayor of the City of Adelaide, agree with the Deputy Premier's remark on Friday 9 November 2007 that the Adelaide City Council is a 'small, tin-pot city council'?

The Hon. M.D. Rann: How many voters have they got? How many people voted?

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Federal/State Relations) (15:07): Hundreds. Mr Speaker, I am responsible for my words, not the Minister for the City of Adelaide.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: So what? She probably doesn't.

Ms Chapman: Can't you let her answer?

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: My guess is she wouldn't.

Ms Chapman: Well, let her answer.

An honourable member: Why don't you let her answer?

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: They are my comments. I am responsible to this house for my comments, and I am happy to say this: I stand by what I said. I think they were well considered, if not probably best said to a smaller audience than the 3,000 people who were there. You know the real problem when you get in front of these big crowds with a lot of lights: you do not see anyone. You think you are just rehearsing in your office or something and, you know, you muse that I had better stop now in case I get stuck into anyone else who has given me the you-know-whats. People know me. I am somebody who from time to time oversteps just a tad and gets a little frustrated. Diplomacy has never been one of my stronger points.

The Hon. M.D. Rann: But you've never barked like a chihuahua.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: That's true.

The Hon. P.F. Conlon: No, never barked.

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson: Never barked in the house.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I have never barked in the house; that's true. I am a politician who at times makes mistakes. Swearing should never occur in public, and I apologise deeply to those people whom I offended. It was not meant to offend those whom it offended, but I stand by my reference to the Adelaide City Council.