Premier and Cabinet Department

Mr KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:53): Can the Premier explain the discrepancy between his answer to the house and the answer Ms Ruth Ambler gave to the Budget and Finance Committee yesterday when she stated that the Premier had asked whether there were public sector employees of the former premier's office—

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order: the shadow minister needs to seek leave if he wants to introduce that sort of information.

The SPEAKER: Yes, 97. Would you like to—

Mr KOUTSANTONIS: I haven't finished asking the question, sir.

The SPEAKER: Would you like to seek leave?

Mr KOUTSANTONIS: I will, sir, for my explanation—had asked whether public sector employees from the former premier's office had come into Cabinet Office.

The SPEAKER: I think the member for West Torrens is going to seek leave to provide an explanation.

Mr KOUTSANTONIS: I will now.

The SPEAKER: In the question.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: He has started his explanation already.

The SPEAKER: In the question.

Mr KOUTSANTONIS: With your leave, sir, and that of the house I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr KOUTSANTONIS: In answer to a question in Budget and Finance yesterday regarding the public sector employees of the former premier's office coming into Cabinet Office, Ms Ambler said, and I quote:

The Premier asked whether there were people who were in the former premier's office who had come into Cabinet Office. It was a very short discussion about the impartiality of Cabinet Office.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:55): I don't recall all the details of the conversation, but I do recall that we did talk about the impartiality of the Cabinet Office. We think that it is absolutely crucial. It is where some of our most capable and diligent public servants are. It provides direct advice to the cabinet, and we did have a discussion regarding impartiality, but at no time did I ever direct Ruth Ambler or any other member of the Cabinet Office regarding the employment of any specific individual.

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens.