CARETAKER GOVERNMENT CONVENTIONS

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:40): My question is again to the Minister for Health. Why did the minister break the caretaker conventions by seeking political advice from the Public Service—

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Point of order, Madam Speaker. To ask a question, 'why did the minister break the conventions' is to engage in argument. It is disorderly.

The SPEAKER: Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition would like to reword that to 'did the'?

Mrs REDMOND: Why did the minister not comply with the caretaker conventions—

The SPEAKER: Order! No.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Point of order, Madam Speaker. My point of order is that it is not established what the caretaker conventions are, therefore it is argument to say that the minister did not comply with them. Have another go.

The SPEAKER: Yes.

Mrs REDMOND: Can the minister then explain what he did about the caretaker conventions, given the answers he has already given us and given that the caretaker conventions state, 'Officials will not be authorised to give opinions on matters of a party political nature.'

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts) (14:41): You answered the question yourself—'opinions'. I asked for facts.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left! Members on my right, don't provoke them.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! See, you have frightened off the school group.