Local Government Informal Gatherings

Mr GRIFFITHS (Goyder) (14:27): My question is to the Minister for Local Government. Will the minister confirm why he did not provide the opportunity for the Local Government Association to consult with councils about the recently gazetted, and about to be implemented, regulations for council informal gatherings and conflict of interest, given that he committed to do so in a letter dated 1 July?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Frome—Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Local Government) (14:27): These are the informal meetings? As the member for Goyder is very aware—

The Hon. J.J. Snelling interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Health is called to order.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: —when we put this bill through, there was ample time for the Local Government Association to have the consultation with the councils.

Mr GRIFFITHS: Point of order, sir: I am not talking about legislation passed last year. I am talking about regulations the minister has just gazetted.

The SPEAKER: That was an impromptu speech, and I call the member for Goyder to order.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: The member for Goyder is very aware. We give him regular briefings on where we are with everything we are doing, including the regulations. The regulations have gone out there and, as you saw from the press release the other day, the regulations don't come in until 24 November. The issue is that we have gone out there, the regulations are going through currently at the moment and we have been communicating with the LGA, the parent body. The Local Government Association and councils have had ample time to make any comment.