GM HOLDEN

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:53): My question, again, is to the Premier. What was the purpose of allowing the opposition to be briefed by Holden on the details of the funding package if the details are all either not yet decided or commercial in confidence, or both, and doesn't this prove that the Premier is no different from Mike Rann?

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Point of order, Madam Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Order! Point of order.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: The question is so full of comment and argument. We have to draw a line somewhere. It is completely out of order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Minister for State Development) (14:53): I answer that question and preface it by saying that we have had the opportunity to communicate with Holden's since that first question was asked, and they confirmed that they have not told the opposition that they told the government the number of job losses at the Elizabeth plant, so I think it outrageous that the approach they have taken in question time is predicated on that fact.

We in good faith arranged for a briefing between Holden's and the opposition. We invited them to be as open as they felt that they could be with the Leader of the Opposition in relation to this matter, but, naturally enough, they are not prepared to disclose material which would give a competitive advantage to their competitors. Why would they do that? Why would we insist that they do that? We are putting $50 million into promoting and securing their future; why would we take steps to undermine it?

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! That question was out of order; however, the Premier chose to answer it. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to be very careful in the wording of her questions.