MEMBER FOR ELDER

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (14:34): My question is to the Premier. Following revelations that the member for Elder is working three days a week for the real estate division of a law firm, how will the Premier ensure that the member for Elder, who was minister for housing and urban development and transport and infrastructure only six weeks ago, does not use confidential information relating to these portfolios?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:34): The first thing is that he has undertaken not to do so. The second thing is—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Well, there's also a question of professional integrity, and people who actually do practise the law value that more highly than any petty political pointscoring that might go on in this place, and their professional obligations are even more substantial than anything that is set out in this material. It would be a matter of some moment if they were to breach those obligations to their client or these undertakings that have been given here.

If those opposite have any evidence that they wish to advance that there has been a breach of these matters, let them put it forward rather than just providing the general slur that they seek to advance. What I have set out here are the two germane principles, that is, past dealings and confidential information. Both of those are well understood by both the member and the law firm, and they have undertaken to comply with them, which is the way in which this code of practice is meant to operate.

Mr MARSHALL: I have a supplementary.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Just before the supplementary, I warn the member for Morialta for the first time, the member for Heysen for the first time and the member for Unley for the second time. Leader of the Opposition.