Question Time

McTERNAN, MR J.

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:10): My question is to the Premier. Did the Premier's new Thinker in Residence, John McTernan, work in any capacity on the Labor Party's 2010 South Australian election campaign?

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) (14:10): I am very impressed with him. He is—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mrs REDMOND: You won the election.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Pardon? That's right; we did. May I just say that John McTernan is someone who is internationally distinguished. He is, of course, the founder of the New Scotland Foundation; he has been an adviser to British prime ministers; he has been an adviser to a former British secretary of state for defence. Someone has also told me that he had, in fact, the equivalent ranking of a rear admiral. He has worked for the Secretary of State for Scotland. He has worked as a director of—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: He has been involved with the establishment of the Docklands development in Britain and he has been involved in local government. Last night his speech was outstanding, but do you know something—yes, he is a member of the British Labour Party. Do you know what, we have appointed John Olsen, we have appointed Rob Kerin, we have appointed Dean Brown and David Wotton, and they are members of the Liberal Party.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I guess the point it comes down to is we appoint people on the basis of their ability: great leaders like John Olsen and Dean Brown; great charismatic leaders like Rob Kerin; a wonderful environment minister like David Wotton; and we also had people from that side of the house come and join us. In fact, they came to join us as ministers, because we will seek the best and brightest, wherever they come from, in the interests of the state.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. Foley interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, Minister for Police!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I hope you have got rid of all your excess energy now and we have an orderly question time from now on.

The Hon. K.O. Foley interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister for Police, don't spur them on.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, Minister for Police! There will be no arguments across the chamber between the Minister for Police and the Leader of the Opposition. I have warned you both.