MINISTERIAL ADVISERS, CODE OF CONDUCT

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14:47): My question is to the Premier. Following the allegations that some of the Deputy Premier's staff have threatened and intimidated Clubs SA representatives, what action is the Premier intending to take to investigate this matter?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:47): I did hear with some amusement that big Bill Cochrane over there, all six foot four of him, I think full forward at Central Districts, somehow felt intimidated by little—what's his name?

Mr PISONI: Point of order: he is out of order to refer to members of the public in the gallery.

The SPEAKER: Yes, you are quite right. I call the Premier to order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I will just refer to him by his prowess: that fantastic—full forward?

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Where was he? Somewhere up there. He was up there.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Anyway, he is a very big lad and you would not want him to collide with you on a football field. I was—

The Hon. J.R. Rau interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: That's right. In fact, I have seen some intimidation lately, but it was poor old Mark Henley, who thought he was at a news conference with us there in the Balcony Room, having the said Mr Cochrane heckling at him from the side, and I have to say that I think there was a bead of perspiration on Mark Henley's top lip when he saw lumbering at him, albeit rather slowly, the ample frame of—

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Point of order, Mr Speaker: can you bring the Premier back to answering the question, which was: what action does he intend to take to investigate it?

The SPEAKER: I think it is highly relevant as to the likelihood of any intimidation occurring.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: That's right. If Mr Cochrane felt intimidated by a member of the Attorney-General's staff, I am sure the relevant complaint will find its way to the Attorney and I am sure that a quiet word will be had with said ministerial adviser, but I have considered the physical dimensions of the ministerial adviser—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I warn the member for Adelaide for the first time.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I have considered the physical dimensions of the said adviser, I have compared them with the dimension of the fearsome full forward for Central Districts, Mr Cochrane, and I think it is highly unlikely, in the circumstances, that intimidation occurred.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Oh dear! Dear me!

Ms CHAPMAN: I'm to leave?

The SPEAKER: Yes.

Ms CHAPMAN: Thank you!

The SPEAKER: One hour.

The honourable member for Bragg having withdrawn from the chamber: