CABINET MINISTERS

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (14:17): My question is again to the Premier. Who are the 'duds' described by Labor members of parliament in the Premier's cabinet line-up? Do they include Gail Gago MLC, Carmel Zollo MLC, the member for Lee and the member for Croydon? In light of backbench dissent within his government, will the Premier rule out a further cabinet reshuffle before March 2010? A Labor member of parliament stated publicly on 24 October 2008 that:

Everyone knows there are duds in the cabinet. I don't have to tell you that the rest of cabinet knows it, stakeholders and the media know it, heads of departments know it.

The written account then names four members of parliament identified by their Labor members of parliament colleagues as duds.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier has the call.

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:19): I find it extraordinary, because during the time that I have been leader of the Labor Party there have been five Liberal leaders. It is like a hurdy-gurdy over there. Of course, when the Liberals talk about loyalty—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: —we all remember that moment, as Rob Kerin and Iain Evans would remember, when the Leader of the Opposition said 'I'm right behind you, Rob' and 'I'm right behind you, Iain.' I have seen off quite a few Liberal leaders and I expect to see this one off as well.