GUNN, HON. G.M.

The Hon. G.M. GUNN (Stuart) (15:23): I would like to say that it has been an interesting afternoon. One is always interested to sit back and observe the activities of members in the course of their diligent duty to serve their constituents and the people of this state.

While I am on this subject, I have been in this place a long time and, as my time here is drawing to an end and I am looking forward to another phase of my life, I would like to put on the public record my thanks to all the officers of this parliament who have assisted me during my time in this place. There have been many of them, and no doubt some of them have found me somewhat difficult to advise and guide and manage. However, we have got through, and I have appreciated their wise counsel.

I have also appreciated the help and guidance I have received from the officers in the other place when I have been involved in parliamentary committees. From time to time, it pays to take a bit of advice and step back and think about what took place, and I hope that after today's effort one or two people just take a step back and have a bit of a look in the mirror and understand where they are coming from and what they are doing. I am sure that, on reflection, they may be somewhat the wiser. I am not confident, but I hope so. The other matters that I want to raise today in relation to—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. G.M. GUNN: I could go on to that, but perhaps I would be getting too close to the wind so I had better not. I might on another occasion. I could tender some advice, but it may not be wanted—from either side. I sometimes wonder whether my advice to some of my colleagues over a long time has been taken in the right spirit. I have normally always tendered it to them.

It is interesting to attend public functions and observe the enthusiasm or other kind of reception you get from people's spouses. My wife sometimes says to me, 'Who have you upset now?' I say, 'Well, I haven't willingly upset anyone; I've just told people what I think.' I always like to tell people, because I am trying to be helpful to them. However, sometimes it has not been received in that spirit. Nevertheless, I tender it and I will continue to do so, because I have always slept well at night.

One of the things that I have learnt in this place is that, if people want to make threats or challenges to me, I always take them up on it. I remember at a large public meeting a chap in the hall yelled out, 'I'll dong you.' I said to him, 'Don't talk about it; step right up.' My wife was sitting next to me at this meeting at Coober Pedy and she said, 'He might come up.' I said, 'Don't worry about it; the police sergeant is sitting at the steps. It's all right.' What provoked the incident was that this fellow was going to have a go at me and I thought I would get in quick and I said to him, 'Look, if you're going to make a fool of yourself, stand up quickly and let everyone see. Don't ask; do it.' He was not real happy with me and I do not know why, because I was just giving him good advice.

Madam Deputy Speaker, I am sure that you are enjoying your time in your role, as did I many years ago. I just want to say in conclusion that I sincerely hope that all members who come into this place do not make foolish statements before they come here in relation to the facilities and the benefits and the assistance that members receive to do their jobs, or set out to devalue the role of this place, because if they do they are doing a great disservice to the people of South Australia.

The terrible shenanigans that have gone on in the United Kingdom are purely as a result of not paying people enough and not giving them a sensible set of facilities or conditions to work under. Certain sections of the media seem to think that if you pay a member of parliament a decent salary or give them decent facilities there is something wrong with it, but you can pay a public servant twice as much as a minister and that is okay. In my view, it is a complete nonsense and contrary to the best interests of the people of this state.

Time expired.