Repatriation General Hospital

Mr GRIFFITHS (Goyder) (14:54): My question is to the Minister for Regional Development. Can the minister outline the follow-up that he has provided his constituents from the Port Pirie RSL about their concerns about the Repat closure?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: Mr Speaker, is he asking me as the Minister for Regional Development or the member for Frome?

Mr GRIFFITHS: Sir, I shall clarify it and say: what follow-up does he provide to the people who actually vote in the electorate of Frome, as member for Frome?

The SPEAKER: One cannot direct a question to a member in his or her capacity as a member unless the member is responsible to the house by dint, for instance, of being a chairman of a committee, so the question is out of order. I know that rule because, in fact, the opposition directed a question to me when I was a backbencher in my first week.

Mr GARDNER: Point of order, sir. Standing order 96 suggests that questions may be put on questions relating to public affairs. This is a question relating to public affairs. Cabinet, as you have just ruled, speaks with one voice, so the member for Frome/the Minister for Regional Development/the Minister for Local Government is entitled to answer it.

The SPEAKER: Questions go to ministers because of their responsibility to the house as ministers. One cannot ask a question of a member in his or her capacity as the member for a House of Assembly district, otherwise question time might be full of questions to the members of the opposition, which I am sure they wouldn't like.

Mr GARDNER: I have a supplementary question, sir.

The SPEAKER: A supplementary question to a question I have just ruled out of order?

Mr GARDNER: I have a supplementary question to the question that was answered previously that was in order.

The SPEAKER: Very well, then: go ahead. You are in order.