House of Assembly: Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Contents

NALPA STATION

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (15:18): Now that the Premier has returned from his 23rd overseas trip, will he advise the house whether he will visit Nalpa Station where the proposed Wellington weir will be built, given that the owners have had an open invitation for the Premier to visit them for the past 2½ years?

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: On a point of order, Mr Speaker, I do hope that we will not be hearing points of order on debate, given the blatant comment engaged in by the Leader of the Opposition in her question.

The SPEAKER: The Premier.

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) (15:18): Can I just say this: as Premier I will continue to go overseas to fight for our state while you fight amongst yourselves. That is the difference. I will not resile from going to see the head of General Motors about the future of Holden's, or the defence department in the US about Lockheed setting up in South Australia, or companies in Britain about getting them to locate to Techport, or a whole range of other things, because let me just tell you this: that is a much better use of members of parliament's time than going to a rave party and coming out and saying that ecstasy—which is, by the way, produced mainly by bikie gangs—ain't that bad. You have your priorities; I have mine. You can fight amongst yourselves—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mrs REDMOND: On a point of order, Mr Speaker, not only is the Premier blatantly misrepresenting my position on any number of things, but it is highly irrelevant and he is debating the point.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. R.J. McEwen: She did invite it, sir, she leads with her chin.

The SPEAKER: I do not need the assistance of the member for Mount Gambier.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! In asking the question, the Leader of the Opposition made an unnecessary reference that was entirely irrelevant to the question about the Premier's overseas travel. So, taking into account the nature of the question, I have given him latitude; however, perhaps it is time for the Premier to wind up his answer.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Thank you, sir. In the unlikely event that she became premier, her approach would clearly be that, while she is letting out murderers, going ahead with any Parole Board recommendations—

Mrs REDMOND: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier will take his seat. The Leader of the Opposition.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mrs REDMOND: The Premier is now just blatantly disregarding the order that you just gave.

The SPEAKER: Well, no; I just invited him to wind up, but I think he has now, anyway.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mrs REDMOND: Sir, can I re-ask the question then, because the point of the question was: will he give an undertaking to visit Nalpa Station—

The Hon. J.D. Hill: That wasn't the point of the question. You know that wasn't the point of the question.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mrs REDMOND: That was the point of the question.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The house will come to order! When the Speaker is on his feet, I expect all members to be silent. No, the Leader of the Opposition cannot ask her question twice; however, she is on the call list to ask her next question. The Leader of the Opposition.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!