Water Pricing

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:35): My question is to the Treasurer. When did the Treasurer first become aware of allegations that his officials may have breached the Public Service Code of Conduct by bullying and intimidating ESCOSA officials?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:35): I define bullying as coming into the parliament under parliamentary privilege and besmirching the good name of hardworking, dedicated public servants. You want an example of bullying? How about attacking dedicated Treasury officials who work for nothing more than the benefit of the people of this state and people who were attacked who know that they can't defend themselves? That is bullying. I would have thought at the very least, despite our differences with the opposition, he would have stood with us and defended those public servants who can't defend themselves. They can't come in here and defend themselves.

Ms CHAPMAN: Mr Speaker, point of order: there is a very simple question—

The SPEAKER: No, I know what the question is: is it relevant, the minister's answer? Yes, it is.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I have complete confidence in those Treasury officials. Anyone who knows the men who were named by Dr Kerin would realise they are men of the highest integrity, dedicated public servants who give up their time, effort and labour—time away from their families—for the benefit of the people of this state.

Ms REDMOND: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Point of order, member for Heysen.

Ms REDMOND: The question was when did the minister become aware of the allegations of bullying made by Paul Kerin.

The SPEAKER: Yes, but bullying is germane to the answer.

Mr Gardner: It's all he knows how to do, sir.

The SPEAKER: The member for Morialta will rise in his place and withdraw and apologise forthwith.

Mr GARDNER: I withdraw and apologise.

The SPEAKER: Thank you. Minister.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I have seen Dr Kerin's resignation letter and I saw his remarks in the Budget and Finance Committee. I do not accept his characterisation of those public servants and I reject it completely. I stand alongside them 100 per cent.

The SPEAKER: Supplementary? Leader.