Keogh Case

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:06): Supplementary: as the solicitor-general of the time is now the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in respect of the document we are talking about, namely, the Vernon-Roberts medical report—

The SPEAKER: Could the deputy leader ask a question.

Ms CHAPMAN: Will the Attorney indicate whether he has had any discussions with the Chief Justice as to why that report wasn't released for 10 years?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Child Protection Reform, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for Consumer and Business Services, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (15:06): Well, I can indicate that I have not had a discussion with the Chief Justice, because I consider it would be inappropriate to do so. But never mind that; for a great part of the period of time that the member speaks of, the current Chief Justice was not the solicitor-general, and what happened to that during his tenure is a matter which covers only a couple of the years concerned. Thereafter, the matter was in the hands of others if, indeed, anyone was going to make a decision. My belief is that nobody turned their mind to this particular matter at all.

Ms Chapman: How do you know that? You haven't had any conversation with these people yet.

Mr Marshall: We've got this amazing new technology: it's called a phone.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: I must get one of those.

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

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is warned.