Referendum (Appropriation and Supply) Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 11 February 2015.)

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: We are looking at the deputy leader, to continue her remarks.

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (16:34): Do I still have some time?

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: We have established that the member for Bragg was the lead speaker, and so—

Ms CHAPMAN: I couldn't remember whether I had concluded, but if I am allowed I do want to add something. My recollection is that I spoke on a number of concerns we had about this referendum bill, in particular the bona fides of the government about whether it has any intention whatsoever realistically of progressing this bill to referendum.

I pointed out that there was nothing in the documents that had been tabled in the parliament to date, namely, the state budget, or the annual report of the Electoral Commission, or I think I referred to the Mid-Year Budget Review, which sometimes has an extra few little pearls in it—usually things that are getting crunched, but nevertheless there were no additions there—and no indication from the government as to any allocation whatsoever for a referendum, or indeed in this case two referenda as foreshadowed.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Deputy leader, I am sorry, you did conclude your remarks, so unfortunately you will need to sit down.

Ms CHAPMAN: I will do it in committee.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: If the Attorney speaks, he closes the debate.

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) (16:36): Can I say a couple of words and then adjourn it without concluding everything and go on motion or something?

The Hon. T.R. Kenyon: He could seek leave to continue his remarks.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Can I say a couple of words and then seek leave to continue my remarks?

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes. If you wish, I am advised you can.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Thank you. I am jumping up to conclude the debate and then I am going to seek leave to continue my remarks. Can I just say very briefly about this matter, the reason there is nothing in any of the budget papers presently specifically in respect of costs associated with a referendum is because we do not have the bills passed and—

Ms Chapman: Come on, that never stopped you before.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: But that said, I think I have provided some information today to the deputy leader that indicates that the coincidence of these referenda with a general election means that the cost is not particularly significant, because all of the polling places are already hired, all of the polling staff are already there, everything has already been done, but there are some additional costs, and the estimate I received today was that they could be of the order of $1.9 million, give or take a bit.

There is something in that number to incorporate some sort of education or promotional opportunity, because obviously the Electoral Commission would want people to understand that they are going to be asked these questions and have some idea how to vote in a referendum. I seek leave to continue my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.