Ministerial Statement

POLICE MINISTER, ASSAULT

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Motor Sport, Minister Assisting the Premier with the Olympic Dam Expansion Project) (14:25): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I have read reports of what was said in the Magistrates Court today, and I have sought legal advice from my solicitors. Whilst I cannot comment on the detail of what has been said, I completely reject the account given to the court on behalf of the accused, Mr Grgich. It is totally untrue, and I look forward to my day in court when I can tell the real story, the truth, about what happened. On legal advice, it is not appropriate for me to make any further comment.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for Bragg!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Somebody has just wandered into the chamber and I am not sure what they are doing in here.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Madam Speaker, I take objection to an interjection from the member for Bragg. She referred to the gentleman walking into the chamber as someone from Port Adelaide. Anyone who knows the manners of people from Port Adelaide knows that we would knock first.

The SPEAKER: I don't think there is a point of order in that, but I can understand your concern, member for Port Adelaide. Member for Bragg?

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order, Madam Speaker. I seek some clarification of your statement. If you are suggesting that there is some merit in the assertion made by the minister, I do wish to seek to reply. That is not what I said; I clearly didn't say that. I said, 'This gentleman is probably looking for preselection in Port Adelaide.'

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Thank you; no point of order. You have made your point.

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Finniss, be quiet. You do not shout across the floor.