Legislative Council President

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:16): My supplementary is to the Minister for Regional Development. Has he spoken with the former president of the other place, the Hon. John Gazzola, to ascertain the basis of his allegations of corruption against the current President of the other place?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:17): The Minister for Regional Development I think adequately dealt with this matter in his answer, but I do want to supplement and answer this question by saying that when members of parliament advance their own personal grievances and causes, and appear to be thinking more about themselves rather than what is in the interests of the people of South Australia, naturally there is criticism that comes their way, and it reflects on not just the government but all of us.

So, my advice to any of my colleagues, whether it is in this place or the other place, is to keep firmly in mind their principal responsibilities, which are to represent their electorate and discharge their other functions, especially if they are an office holder of this parliament or indeed of executive government. There is no doubt that this reflects poorly on the government, and we need to accept responsibility for that, and I hope that those who have engaged in this behaviour understand that they have caused that.

But I for my part and I know each of my ministers are firmly focused on the critical issues facing South Australia, including ensuring that we modernise and transform this economy. I was very pleased to be standing with the member for Frome (including the Treasurer) last Friday and taking a very important first step in that regard with the almost half a billion dollar project for the transformation of Nyrstar.