Legislative Council President

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:39): What is the nature of the allegation of corrupt behaviour against the President of the other place?

The SPEAKER: I am not sure again that the Premier is responsible.

Mr Marshall: He's the leader of the party.

The SPEAKER: He may be—could you please be seated. There is an allegation that has been made under parliamentary privilege. It was the subject of a defamation action where the Hon. Russell Wortley succeeded and was paid damages by those who published the allegation some time ago. There are places to go to, such as the Office of Public Integrity and the Anti-Corruption Branch, to make allegations of corruption, and there is a federal royal commission.

I am not sure that it is within the scope of the Premier's responsibility to tell the house what he thinks is the substratum of fact for the allegation. If the Premier wishes to answer, he may, but I would be inclined to say the Premier is simply not responsible to the house. If Mr Gazzola wants to further outline the allegations outside parliamentary privilege, or under parliamentary privilege, he is free to do so. The leader.