PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:19): How would the Premier interpret this? When Warren McCann was talking about the numbers who leave the public sector each year:

That has increased slightly over the last three years from 10,000 in 2005; 12,000 in 2006; and just over 12,000 in 2007.

How does the Premier suggest that the opposition interpret that?

The SPEAKER: I am not really sure that the Premier is going to answer that question.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! However, Premier, you may choose to answer it.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Minister for State Development) (15:20): What the opposition is left with is a plea to the government to assist them in understanding some basic elementary facts about—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for MacKillop, order! You've had a good run.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: What we are left with is a yelp, a whimper, a plea, requesting us to assist them in the formulation of their public policy because they do not understand basic questions about the composition of the South Australian public sector.

The SPEAKER: Order! Point of order.

Mrs REDMOND: This is surely debate, contrary to standing order 98.

The SPEAKER: It was a question that inflamed it. Premier.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Madam Speaker—

Mrs REDMOND: Point of order: with respect, could I seek a point of clarification? In what way did the question from the member for MacKillop inflame anything?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Premier.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Premier, you have a couple of minutes.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for MacKillop, leave the chamber for 10 minutes.

The honourable member for MacKillop having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I know those opposite work themselves up for their one hour of work each day and then they return to their hammocks.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Point of order.

Mrs REDMOND: Surely that is simply debate, contrary to standing order 98.

The SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, if I could hear what he is saying, I might be able to give you a ruling on that, but I think I will call that question time is finished now; we will move on to grievances. First of all, though, I call the Minister for Police.