Kerin, Dr Paul

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:55): Supplementary question: could the Treasurer explain to the house when he first became aware that Mr Kerin had resigned and when he first read the letter of resignation to the board? I understand he gets monthly reports from it.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:56): Mr Speaker, I can't remember the exact date, but it was very soon after I was sworn in as Treasurer. The Under Treasurer informed me that the chief executive of ESCOSA had resigned. He had written a very colourful letter in response, and when I read the letter I thought it was a cracker, myself. I thought, 'That's quite a swing on the way out.' Obviously he was upset about the outcome of the election. There are many people upset about the outcome of the election. The member for Davenport was upset about the outcome of the election, so much so he's quitting. People have an emotional response to politics.

Mr Kerin was hoping that there would be a change in government. As we saw in the InDaily today, he was a very big fan of Jeff Kennett and his Liberal government in Victoria, and he was hoping there would be similar reforms. If I extrapolate that further, that's privatisation. Like I said, sir, at my first Treasurers' conference, with the federal Treasurer, he knew all about SA Water; he knew every single detail about SA Water, almost as if there was some sort of plan in place to privatise SA Water.

Mr GARDNER: Point of order. The Treasurer is defying you, sir. He's repeating the same debate you previously ruled against him.

The SPEAKER: Yes, but it's a different question. Further supplementary, deputy leader.