Question Time

Keogh Case

Mr KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:19): My question is to the Deputy Premier. Did the Attorney receive a formulated claim from lawyers representing Mr Henry Keogh?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (14:19): The issue in relation to compensation/redress/ex gratia payment I can say is one where, to the best of the information I have provided prior to coming into office, in May 2017 the former government and cabinet, of which the member was a member, received a request for a very substantial financial payment. There was correspondence to consider whether that was to be in the form of a compensation/ex gratia/other-type payment. The correspondence that I viewed confirmed to me that it would continue as an ex gratia payment that was sought.

The member may not be aware of the particulars of these things, but sometimes the aspects of payment do take into account the applicant and any income tax liability, for example, that may apply and the like. These are normal things that occur in relation to these matters. The correspondence disclosed that in the event there wasn't a resolution of this matter, obviously, the proceedings would look. In relation to the nature of the question, I am assuming that what the member is asking is: were there any instituted proceedings in any court at the time of the consideration by this government of the matter? The answer to that is no and, to the best of my assessment, nor was it in the 11 months under the previous government.