EASLING, MR T.

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (15:19): My question is to the Minister for Families and Communities. Following the minister's ministerial statement today that she intends to provide all relevant documents to the court in her defence of the Easling defamation, are these different documents from those already disclosed to Mr Easling as part of his criminal court case or those provided in response to the opposition's freedom of information requests? If so, why weren't these documents released on any of the following occasions: during Mr Easling's court case proceedings, as required under subpoena; when Mr Easling's lawyers twice wrote to the minister requesting the documents in November 2008; when I as Mr Easling's representative asked for the documents in the parliament in November 2008; when I put in a freedom of information application seeking those documents regarding the minister's—

The SPEAKER: Order! This is becoming a statement.

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Madam Speaker, I am simply outlining the occasions on which I have asked for the documents the minister says she is going to release.

The SPEAKER: Alright, continue, but finish as soon as you can.

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: When I put in an FOI application seeking the documents regarding the minister's statements; when I sought a review of the freedom of information applications by the department seeking the documents; and when I sought a review of the FOI application by the ombudsman seeking those documents.

Mr Pederick: Good question.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Don't tell me you forgot to file a defence.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Any minister can answer a question.

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for Davenport! This is a serious issue.

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Urban Development, Planning and the City of Adelaide, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Food Marketing) (15:21): It has already been made clear to the parliament by the minister that there are legal processes in train now relating to this matter and it is not appropriate—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.R. RAU: It is inappropriate in those circumstances to be examining this matter at this time, and—

The Hon. I.F. Evans: She made a ministerial statement; she can answer the questions.

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for Davenport!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for Davenport and the member for MacKillop! Attorney, have you finished answering the question?

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Yes, they didn't like the sound of it so I will stop.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson: What is your stake in all this?

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Croydon!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! We have six minutes left of question time; keep some order, please.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for MacKillop! You are warned again.