Premier and Cabinet Department

Mr KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:55): My question is to the Premier. Did the Premier, his staff or the Treasurer raise concerns about the issue of impartiality of the Cabinet Office on 20 March in a meeting with Ruth Ambler, the executive director of the Cabinet Office?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:55): Did I—

Mr KOUTSANTONIS: Did you and others, yes.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Well, I think I said that in my previous answer. We did definitely discuss impartiality, and I think that this is a pretty reasonable thing to have in a Cabinet Office. I mean, I don't know how those opposite actually went about employing people in the Cabinet Office. We on this side would think that impartiality—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Members on my left, order! The Premier is answering the question.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Let's be quite clear—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —we did discuss impartiality in that office, which is absolutely critical. We don't hide in any way, shape or form from making sure that we do have the very best people available and that they operate in an impartial way.