Keogh Case

Mr KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:10): My question is to the Deputy Premier. Is the Deputy Premier aware that the Cheney family raised concerns with the Premier regarding their perception of the Attorney's bias in relation to the case of Henry Keogh in relation to the murder of their daughter Anna-Jane Cheney?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (14:10): What I am aware of is that, when the determination was made by the government to accept the recommended resolution of this matter, it seemed appropriate given the history of this case that the Cheney family be informed and that discussion was undertaken with a member of the Cheney family to offer myself personally to meet with them, if that was requested, to indicate to them before this became a media issue and was published, the government's decision.

Our government felt, and I completely endorse this, that, given this case has had a 25-year history which has been painful for the Cheney family, that is the least that we could do to ensure that they were, as much as possible, privy to what was occurring. As a result of that invitation, I received a request from the Cheney family directly, although later there was some apparent representation by a person purporting to represent the Cheney family, that they didn't want to meet but that they were concerned that their privacy be respected, and that when I on behalf of the government was to make an announcement in that regard that they would ask that we request that their privacy be respected and that that be conveyed to the media outlets, which I did.

If it assists the member in understanding the significance of this case and my involvement one way or another, let me say this: I knew Anna-Jane Cheney. She was a colleague of mine in the law. It was a very sad day when it became clear that she died. The circumstances that developed post that are another matter. But she was a bright young person—professionally, I think, competent and very, I think, looking forward to having a bright future in the law. When she died it was a sad day for those of us in the profession—a devastating day for the Cheney family themselves.

On the other hand, I have never met Mr Keogh. I have not requested to meet him. To the best of my knowledge he has not requested to meet me, and I have no intention of doing so. The decision that was made in relation to the settlement of this matter by the government was to take into account the interests of the state. We were sensitive to the circumstances in relation to the Cheney family, but the overriding consideration was the application that was before us, which had been before the previous government and for whatever reason had not been resolved.

The issues of what the previous government and previous attorneys have done is a matter for them to answer. We had this on our plate. It is important that it be resolved, and taking that into account I will say that I considered the prospect of further endless legal proceedings and public attention to this and the pain that that would inflict on the Cheney family as a factor that weighed on me personally.

Nevertheless, the overriding consideration in the envelope of advice given to us was to consider that advice, and, along with the negotiations in this matter, accept the advice and options given to us in those circumstances. I think it is a settlement—

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier's time has expired. The member for King.