WATER BILLING

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (14:46): I have a supplementary question. Will the minister, together with the Minister for Water Security, table the minutes of these meetings? Has Ms Howe been given any warning or other notice pointing to her possible removal from her post?

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Federal/State Relations) (14:47): I will answer that, if you do not mind, Mr Speaker, because I find that offensive.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Yes, and Kate Lennon deserved exactly what she got. I tell you what: there is one thing this government isn't; we are not weak when it comes to dealing with CEOs who are not up to standard and who make errors. Unlike the Liberals when in office, who stuck by a whole series of chief executive officers, which ended up costing the former Liberal government hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of dollars when they finally separated with them. So, don't you come in here and lecture us about how we manage chief executive officers, because you were an absolute disgrace when it came to chief executive officers—the way you treated them and, importantly, the way you tolerated them.

There would have been a few less ministerial resignations under your government if you had had the courage to get rid of a few of those CEOs, because they came back to undermine you and to bite you—and the member for Davenport, as well as a few others, knows exactly what I am talking about. Members opposite showed an appalling lack of strength in government. They did very well in divisive behaviour but they showed a very, very strong and significant lack of leadership and direction of their Public Service.

I made it very, very clear that I had an issue with Anne Howe and the department's lack of explanation to cabinet. I also said on the public record that, in fairness to Anne Howe and SA Water, they assumed that cabinet understood fully the billing system. We did not, just like the former cabinet did not, and we take responsibility. Anne Howe is a fine CEO, and she has done a very good job, and I said from the outset that there did not need to be any resignations or sackings over this. The government has taken responsibility, unlike members opposite. The leader of the opposition sat—

Mr Hamilton-Smith interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Did you understand the billing system, leader? Martin, did you understand the billing system?

Mr Hamilton-Smith interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Ah, he did. Mr Speaker, yet again, the Leader of the Opposition tells untruths. He just chops and swings and says whatever he wants, because on Friday he said that this was some conspiracy, this was some secret grab for cash. He has just said now that when he was around the cabinet table he understood the billing system. So, if he understood it—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: You did not tell your treasurer on the day he put out his release, and you did not know it on Friday, and why? Because what you just said then was an untruth—

Mr Hamilton-Smith interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: It was an untruth, because you will say anything and you will do anything to suit the day.

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The minister is debating the issue. Mr Speaker, you frequently pull us up for interjecting. He invites interjections. It is unparliamentary—

The SPEAKER: Order! I uphold the point of order. The Deputy Premier.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Thank you, sir. I just make the point that this leader will say anything on any day to suit any—

The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Premier will take his seat.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: He is a fraud of a leader.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Premier will take his seat.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: You are a fraud.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. Foley interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I warn the Deputy Premier.

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: I rise on point of order, Mr Speaker. I take objection to the term 'fraud'. The government is involved in a program of abuse—

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: —and I ask that it be withdrawn.

The SPEAKER: Order! I do think that 'fraud' is a reflection on the Leader of the Opposition, and I do ask the Deputy Premier to withdraw.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: On a point of order, sir: just remember what the Leader of the Opposition has just said. He said he knew the billing system, which means that his government—

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier will take his seat. I do uphold that 'fraud' is a reflection upon the Leader of the Opposition. The Deputy Premier's comment 'You are a fraud' is a reflection, and I ask him to withdraw.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I apologise and withdraw, sir, unreservedly. He knows exactly what he is.

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: Point of order, Mr Speaker. The Treasurer just added to his apology, 'He knows exactly what he is.' He virtually repeated the offence. I ask you again to get him to withdraw it without qualification.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. Foley: You are weak.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Premier is trying my patience. I did not hear the remark made by the Deputy Premier. I think it is best for everyone if we simply move on. The Deputy Premier has withdrawn and apologised as I directed him to. The member for MacKillop.