STATE RECORDS

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (15:06): My question is to the Premier. As the minister responsible for IT, can the Premier advise whether it is standard practice for all computers used in ministerial offices to undergo a full data wipe, called a DBAN, where there is a change of ministerial responsibilities, as reported in the Debelle inquiry report on page 133 which says that computers—not just laptops, but computers—used by the minister and minister's staff are wiped?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens and the member for Giles are called to order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (15:06): It must have been disappointing for the Leader of the Opposition the day the Debelle inquiry was handed down to flick through its pages and for him to not have the findings that he would be so desperately looking for—flicking through all the pages of the Debelle report trying to actually find that finding that he was so longing for and that they have been spreading around about me, and it was not in there.

I heard the remarks thrown across the chamber at me and now they have to come in here and cast doubt on the findings of the Debelle report after being staggered for a few days while they worked out, 'Now what we do?' They have decided what plan B is: it is to cast doubt on the findings of the Debelle report. That is what is happening here.

Mr MARSHALL: Standing order 98, sir.

The SPEAKER: Standing order 98—refresh my memory. Is it debate?

Mr MARSHALL: It is about returning to the substance of the question.

The SPEAKER: I would ask the Premier to be germane to the question.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Let us go back to the substance of the question. The substance of the question is wiping a computer. The very computer at the centre of this discussion was my computer and it was unwiped.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The leader and the member for Unley will come to order. The bases are loaded for the member for Unley.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: This is the pattern, Mr Speaker: ask some questions quietly, and try and actually get some relevant concessions so that he can declare victory for a day. It starts going a bit badly so he gets angry and then pretty soon we will have the Chris Pyne laugh. That is the formula.

The SPEAKER: I believe there is a point of order from the deputy leader.

Ms CHAPMAN: This is a disgrace, Mr Speaker. A legitimate question has been asked—

The SPEAKER: No, I'll decide whether or not it is a disgrace. Will the deputy leader be seated, please? Does the Premier have anything to add?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: QED.

The SPEAKER: Quod erat demonstrandum.