Romaldi, Mr M.

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:04): Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Why did the Premier take his time and wait for Mr Romaldi to offer his resignation, rather than ask for it immediately upon his attention being drawn to this information?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:04): I would like to take this opportunity to answer this question, not that I think I need to. I have provided all the information to the house that is required. But it is interesting the double standard that those opposite are offering to the house today. It wasn't that long ago when there was some absolutely outrageous language used by a cabinet minister of the former government.

The former government minister of the Crown referred to another interstate minister of the Crown in an absolutely vulgar and completely unacceptable way, using a term that I would never, ever utter in this house. What was the standard that was applied by the former government? The Leader of the Opposition sat in the cabinet alongside the person, the minister, who used that completely and utterly unacceptable language and did nothing. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting to this house that he is going to stand up today and call for the resignation of that former minister, or maybe—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —his frontbencher, sitting just two seats away from him—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —at the moment? We know what the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption said against the former treasurer's language—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —used directly—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —to senior members of the Public Service—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —yet no consequences, no consequences whatsoever. The double standard of those opposite is appalling. The Leader of the Opposition, if he had a shred of decency, would be calling for the member sitting two seats behind him to take responsibility for his outrageous behaviour towards members of our Public Service. Move him to the backbench. Let me tell you what I did: we actually took action. I called Mr Romaldi—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —he offered his resignation. It was accepted straightaway.

The SPEAKER: Before I call the member for King, I call to order the following members: the leader, the deputy leader, the member for Playford, the member for Badcoe, the member for Kaurna and the Minister for Education.