Premier and Cabinet Department

Mr KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:58): My question is to the Premier. How long after the Premier or his staff clarified his comments to the deputy chief executive of DPC was it that the deputy chief executive was terminated?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:58): Just say that again, sorry.

Mr KOUTSANTONIS: My question is to the Premier. How long after the Premier or his staff clarified his remarks to the deputy chief executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet was the deputy chief executive terminated?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: I don't have that information with me, but those two issues are completely unrelated, and if those opposite suggest that those two things are related then they just don't understand how the Public Service Act operates.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER Order! The Premier will be heard in silence.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: He is answering the question. The Premier will be heard in silence.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: It is difficult to believe that those opposite in government for 16 years—and, in fact, the member for West Torrens who has been in this parliament for considerably longer than that—don't understand how the Public Service Act operates. The Premier appoints chief executives. That is my responsibility, and I take that responsibility very seriously, sir, as you would be aware. All other appointments are the responsibility of the chief executives themselves.

I hope that the member for West Torrens isn't suggesting that there was some sort of interference by the Premier regarding the appointment of the deputy—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —chief executive because if he—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Well, it's an outrageous accusation. Maybe the—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Members will not interject—

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Well, I'm just making—

The SPEAKER: —and the Premier will not respond to interjections. If I hear anything unparliamentary, I will ask members to withdraw. The Premier has the call.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: We take our responsibility very seriously. We are fully aware of our roles and our responsibilities as the Premier and as cabinet ministers, and we make sure that we conform to the requirements under the Public Service Act, which is an excellent act. We've got excellent public servants here in South Australia. I have enjoyed working with them all, and I will continue to enjoy working with them all.