TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (15:05): Will the Minister for Transport advise the house when the dispute between his department (Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure) and the Auditor-General will be resolved and the 2007-08 financial accounts presented to parliament?

The financial accounts of the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure were due to be tabled in the house in September 2008, but they have still not been audited and presented to parliament. On Monday 16 March 2008, an officer from the department advised the Budget and Finance Committee that the Auditor-General had raised a number of issues with the department about the financial statements in a number of management letters. This officer said, 'The Auditor-General has asked questions in relation to a number of matters around the financial statements.'

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Energy) (15:06): It is always interesting that the explanation bears no relationship to the question. The member asked when the dispute would be resolved but then went on to talk about the Auditor-General's asking questions. Can I tell you that we do not have disputes with the Auditor-General; we provide him with information. We are very respectful of the Auditor-General, unlike my friends on the other side, of course.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: If he wants to talk about disputes with the Auditor-General, as opposed to the Auditor-General asking questions about certain matters, a dispute with the Auditor-General is when he comes to the parliament and asks for some legislation to protect him from the Liberal government. That is what you call a dispute. For the benefit of the member for Morphett, that is the difference between asking some questions about accounts and having a full-blown stoush with the bloke.

I understand that the matters that have been of interest to the Auditor-General are small settlements of transactions through Services SA, I think, but I will check that for the member. I am in the hands of the Auditor-General. I am certainly not going to have a dispute with him, as I have enormous respect for the office and the individual. When he is satisfied, he will bring it, and you can ask any questions you like.