Public Sector Recruitment

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:24): I have a further question to the Premier or the Deputy Premier. Given the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment's recruitment guideline also requires consideration of criminal history and background screening, reference checks in respect of previous work performance and the investigation of personal associations that could present a risk for the agency, can the Premier explain why Veronica Theriault and her brother were given interviews in the first place?

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) (14:24): I don't know how many different ways I can say the same thing. This question directs itself, obviously, to the very point of what undoubtedly will be matters of contention in a matter in the criminal courts. For that reason, in order to make sure that there is no suggestion there has been any interference with a fair trial in that matter, I do not propose to answer that or other questions which go directly to that matter.

I can say to the deputy leader and to any other members who might be concerned about this matter that they can have confidence that, in the context of those proceedings, everything that is alleged about this individual will be put before the court. The individual concerned will have an opportunity to test that material through their legal adviser, or personally if they choose to represent themselves, and they will be able to call evidence, if they choose to do so, to present a different account of events if that is what they wish to do. All of this will be revealed through an independent judicial process. I think all of us should allow that to occur in such a way that that process is not contaminated by commentary from North Terrace.