Ministerial Staff

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (14:46): My supplementary question is also to the Premier. What is the nature of what the Premier terms 'mitigating factors' that have led to this offence only being dealt with by what is described as a 'first and final warning'?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:47): I'm not going to go into the nature—

Mr Marshall: Why not?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Well, I refuse to. These are staffing matters which are not traditionally exposed in this fashion. What is appropriate is to know the standards of conduct that I have applied to this matter, the principles that have governed this matter, the fact that the particular disciplinary action has been carried out in accordance with those matters.

I'm not going to traverse on the privacy of the individuals involved, except to say that we have insisted on a certain standard of behaviour. This has fallen well short of that standard of behaviour, and the relevant disciplinary action has been taken, but a judgement has been made and I believe, in the circumstances, the correct judgement, that termination of employment was not appropriate in this case but that a final warning was issued in relation to this conduct. Having regard to all of the circumstances, I believe that is the appropriate judgement.