Ministerial Statement

MEMBERS' BEHAVIOUR

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Minister for State Development) (14:06): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Our profession is not held in high regard. That is regrettable because the reason we are here is a worthy one: striving to create a better society to improve the lives of every South Australian. There can be no doubt that our conduct in this place contributes to the perception that people have of us. My challenge to all of us today is to do better.

Civility is perhaps a quaint notion, but civility in parliament is something we should always strive to uphold. It sets the tone for the community about how differences should be resolved. It represents a cornerstone of our democracy—the capacity to reasonably differ on matters of importance. If we do not uphold it, we begin to abandon our responsibilities as members of parliament. Yet, too often, we put aside civility for trivial political gain, far removed from anything remotely to do with advancing South Australia's interests.

This parliament has stood for generations. We are simply the custodians of it for the relatively brief period we get to occupy these positions. As we look around us, we want the people tomorrow to look upon us as proudly as we look upon the faces of those who have come before us. I am not naive enough to believe that we can transform the common perception of politicians any time soon, but I am not prepared to accept the current state of affairs. So, what I ask is that we all make a real commitment to actions that will improve public debate in this place.

First, we should make a commitment to focus on debate about policy, about things that really matter to the people of South Australia. There will always be substantial differences between members. That is as it should be. Our community gets the best results from robust debate based on different points of view and different ideas, but this is where disagreements should lie. If we want genuine debate in the interests of South Australia, then we should be debating policy, not descending to the personal denigration that too often marks our politics. I will not tolerate that conduct from members of my government, and I hope the Leader of the Opposition will take a similar approach.

Secondly, when we are debating in this chamber we should consciously attempt to comply with the rules. That does not mean that the debate cannot be robust or that we abandon witty remarks, but it does mean asking legitimate questions, and it means giving questions the answers they deserve.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Cheap pointscoring questions can and should be treated dismissively, but questions with serious intentions should be given serious answers. It also means being courteous. If a person is answering a question, then let them be heard. Too often in this chamber, the braying and catcalling drown out any discussion.

Thirdly, we need to pay greater respect to you, Madam Speaker. We should address our remarks to you. We should support your rulings. We should comply with your directions and accept your remarks aimed at improving the conduct of debate. We should respect your right to be heard in silence.

These are relatively small things. They do not require a massive shift in the way we do things. If we can adhere to these few principles, we will go some way to winning back the respect of our community, and ensuring that we are worthy custodians of this place.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!