Gillman Land Sale

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:25): My question is to the Premier: does the Premier think it is appropriate that a minister of the Crown should be such a difficult witness when giving evidence to the Independent Commissioner against Corruption?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:25): I know those opposite were hoping for something different out of the Ombudsman's inquiry conducted by Commissioner Lander and they seek to travel beyond his findings to make political points in this place. We have accepted the criticisms that are contained in the report of the Treasurer.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: No, he accepts—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The leader is living dangerously.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: It is inappropriate to cite passages of transcript which ultimately don't lead to findings in this report. It is the findings that are relevant and it is the findings that we have accepted, and the findings, when they have led to findings of inappropriate language, have been apologised for.

If the commissioner had decided to make further and other findings about the Treasurer, I think we can see, from the tenor of his report, he would not have hesitated to do that, but we are simply not going to permit those opposite to conduct their own further elaboration on a very significant piece of work that was conducted by an eminent jurist who has made findings, and we stand by those findings.