Essential Services Commission

Mr TARZIA (Hartley) (14:33): Supplementary sir: did the Treasurer or his office therefore ever advise the acting CEO that, despite the potential for a conflict of interest, the acting CEO could proceed with the internal review?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:34): It is not the place for me because it's not my FOI and it's not my document. I can't explain this any clearer and simpler for the opposition than to say this: ESCOSA is an independent body; they process their own FOIs. The government is not in there, my office is not in ESCOSA saying, 'Look, you should process this one and you should process that one.' That is a matter for the board and the chief executive of ESCOSA.

The question is: do I have confidence in the way that they have delivered it? The reality is this: the document was released under FOI. Is it the first FOI to be appealed to the Ombudsman that has been rejected initially? No, it is not—

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is warned for the second and final time.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I have to say, Mr Speaker, that ESCOSA has high-calibre employees. They have a very good culture and, if the opposition has evidence to the contrary, I ask the member for Hartley to walk outside this chamber and repeat his allegations.

The SPEAKER: The member for Hartley.

Mr TARZIA: Sir, 127.3, I did not make any allegations.

The SPEAKER: Is the member for Hartley asking a question or is he making an impromptu speech?

Mr TARZIA: No, it was a point of order, sir, because 127.3 is a personal reflection. I did not make any accusation; I just asked a question.

The SPEAKER: Obviously that is a matter of political conjecture. Would the member for Hartley like to ask a question?