MINISTERIAL ADVISERS, CODE OF CONDUCT

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (14:53): Supplementary, sir. Is the Premier suggesting that ministerial staff are bound by the code of ethics for the South Australian public sector, which states, 'Political neutrality of the public sector is at the heart of its professional ethos?'

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:53): Yes, the public sector code of ethics does apply to ministerial advisers; it is directly applicable to them. Of course, some of the clauses there are not directly relevant to them because they are, of course, ministerial advisers rather than the professional Public Service. But to be absolutely clear: the advice we have from the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment is that it applies—and that is consistent with the situation in a number of other jurisdictions.