Keogh Case

Mr KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (15:05): My question is to the Attorney-General. Did the Attorney-General make available all advice held by the Solicitor-General and Crown law to the Department of Treasury and Finance and SAicorp before making an ex gratia payment to accused murderer Henry Keogh?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (15:05): My understanding is that when cabinet had approved—

Mr Koutsantonis: So cabinet approved it?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: You can write that down—c-a-b-i-n-e-t—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —approved it.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: As I understand it, the cabinet office then forward the notifications of cabinet decisions and that then goes to the Treasury department.

Mr Koutsantonis: So you didn't have the advice before you made the decision?

The SPEAKER: Member for West Torrens, please stop interjecting. The Deputy Premier has the call.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: Just as a refresher for the member for West Torrens, who has been a cabinet minister—a worrying thought, but anyway he was there—he would remember—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —that cabinet process does require that material that is decided upon then is actioned through a cabinet office to the relevant departments. I would expect—I haven't had a report back, but I would expect—that notice has then gone to Treasury to confirm their attention to the payment of the funds.

Mr KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order: the question was whether the advice was given to those agencies before the decision was made, not after.

The SPEAKER: The point of order is for whether the Deputy Premier is answering the substance of the question. I will listen carefully. Deputy Premier.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: As I understand it, the question is: did I consult with the department of Treasury before presenting a recommendation to the cabinet in respect of the Keogh matter? If that is the question, the answer is no. I have assumed that Treasury have enough money to cover it.