GOVERNMENT STATIONERY CONTRACT

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14:43): My question is again to the Minister for Finance. Was the minister aware, before signing the contract for the whole-of-government stationery procurement, that Corporate Express was involved in the underpayment of $80 million of wages in the United States? If so, what provisions have been made to ensure that this practice will not be visited upon South Australian employees?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN (Napier—Minister for Finance, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:43): Member for Davenport, could you reread the first sentence? I didn't quite catch it. There was a bit of noise here.

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Was the minister aware, before signing the contract for the whole of government stationery procurement contract, that Corporate Express was involved in the underpayment of $80 million of wages in the United States? If so, what provisions have been made to ensure that this practice will not be visited upon South Australian employees?

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN: No, I was not.

The Hon. P.F. Conlon: We have good laws.

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN: Yes, we have far more robust laws in relation to matters such as this in Australia as opposed to the United States.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Minister for Finance, will you be seated. The member for Unley is continually interjecting. I warn him for the first time and ask him to desist. The Minister for Finance.

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN: This brings us to probably the salient point in relation to this issue which is that the tender process is not a political process. I have no say in the awarding of contracts, nor should I, and I think that is the view of the opposition as well, that we have to run this process at arm's length. It has to be conducted ethically and robustly, and it has to be signed off ultimately by an external company that specialises in probity matters. All of those steps and ethical standards were followed in relation to this matter. I am perfectly satisfied that there was no political tampering with the process whatsoever, and I have been resolute to ensure that it does not occur after the fact.