ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS AND RECONCILIATION

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:28): Supplementary question, Madam Speaker. If all that the Premier says is true, then why hasn't the gap been closed at all under the watch of his government?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I will count that as a question.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Minister for State Development) (14:28): There are very substantial improvements that have occurred over the last decade in relation to Aboriginal advantage and disadvantage. We have seen very substantial improvements in Aboriginal retention rates in our schooling system. We continue to see dramatic improvements in the infant mortality rate in relation to Aboriginal people. We continue to see improvements in the mortality rate generally of Aboriginal people. Now, the truth is there are also improvements across the general community in each of these parameters, so the gap is a particularly resilient one to be able to close, but we are closing the gap in some very important respects. I am more than happy, if the honourable member is actually serious about getting information about this, to document that, in detail, rather than her coming in here and grandstanding on this issue about which they have no standing.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Point of order.

Mr GARDNER: Point of order: 127—the premier is imputing improper motive.

The SPEAKER: Thank you. The Premier I think has finished his answer.