Parliamentary Vacancy

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:20): I will rephrase it, if I may. My question to the Premier is: when the Premier made the determination to nominate Mr Malinauskas to fill the vacancy and that was made public, did he consider this public information which identifies that he, via the union, contributed $1.3 million to the ALP?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:20): To correct the honourable member, I didn't, in fact, nominate Mr Malinauskas, but I certainly encouraged him to nominate, and I think he has since done so. It will be a matter for the party about what it chooses to do with that and then a matter for the joint sitting about what it chooses to do. But we are contemplating renewal and we have been presented with an opportunity to do so because of a casual vacancy.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I know those opposite also have renewal on their minds.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is warned.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: That's right. It may not be spring, but there does seem to be renewal on the minds—

Mr Wingard interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Mitchell is called to order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —of those opposite. I think any political party would be well advised to continue the process of renewing itself, and we have been doing that; in fact, I am actually the only remaining member of the original 2002 Rann cabinet. Substantial renewal has gone on within our party and, I think some would suggest, to our benefit. I would encourage the process of renewal. I know there are smiles all around from certain people and I suggest—

The Hon. T.R. Kenyon: The member for Bragg likes the idea of renewal.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Exactly. I think this is something that I've found—

The SPEAKER: The member for Newland is called to order for that interjection.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: This is going to be a matter for the party and a matter for the house in due course.