Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:23): Supplementary question.

The SPEAKER: Supplementary, the leader.

Mr MARSHALL: Is the Premier aware that any royal commission into alleged corruption by the President of the South Australian Parliament could not proceed until the letters patent had been received from your government?

The SPEAKER: The leader means the 'letters patent'.

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Industrial Relations) (14:23): Yes, it is like 'finance' and 'finance', isn't it? It is one of those things.

The SPEAKER: Indeed.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: I think have already explained that the necessary steps from the point of view of the state have been undertaken, the penultimate step, as I understand it, being the formal approval in Executive Council which occurred this morning. There is no question, no issue and no question but that the government is participating as requested by the commonwealth and supporting—

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is called to order.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is warned.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Schubert is indicating his guilt by ducking behind the pillar.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Indeed, the member for MacKillop is correct.