Ministerial Staff

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:23): My question is to the Minister for Environment and Water. When the minister was made aware his office had directed his department to compile a list of public sector employees who were assigned to the former minister's office, why didn't the minister immediately inform the House of Assembly? Was he at any time advised to do so?

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Minister for Environment and Water) (15:23): It was great to see him, as the member for West Torrens departed the chamber, toss his scraps to the deputy leader to follow up this particular sordid rabbit hole that we were down yesterday.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: I am being screamed at, Mr Speaker. I will wait until you have pulled the screaming into line.

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister, I am listening.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: Thank you for your protection, Mr Speaker. I made it very clear yesterday the situation that unfolded with regard to this. I think the member for West Torrens and the entire opposition were appropriately embarrassed when the full facts of the matter were revealed.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: I will answer the question, but I think it is important to put out some facts and context.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: I did not come back to the house because (1) I was not asked to; (2) I made no commitment to—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: —(3) I did not feel that I had misled the house; and (4) when I discovered—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left!

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: —what had happened, as I said yesterday, it became apparent to me that that is exactly the sort of thing that I would expect my Chief of Staff to be doing—formulating a high-quality, high-functioning ministerial office to serve the government of the day. As I said yesterday, as I clearly outlined to the house, the standard which we are setting for our ministerial officers, the standard that we are setting in terms of our interaction with the South Australian Public Service, is so different from the sordid, disgraceful standard that was set by the previous government where mates were dragged into—

The SPEAKER: The member for Hurtle Vale has a point of order.

Ms COOK: Just relax. Point of order, Mr Speaker: number 97, debate.

The SPEAKER: For debate, 98. The member has a valid point. There was a fair bit in that question. When we start talking about the opposition and their behaviour, we are going a little bit off track. Before that point, the answer was germane, so please continue.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: I think it is very important to compare and contrast good behaviour, good standards, with what came from 16 years. It's interesting that—

Ms COOK: Point of order, Mr Speaker: he continues to defy your order.

The SPEAKER: I'm listening carefully, member for Hurtle Vale. Please be seated. Minister, please wrap it up.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: It is interesting to note that the staff who are now working in my ministerial office are doing so in a way where they feel empowered, they feel valued and they feel respected, and that is certainly not what happened under the previous government where staff were frightened to front ministers in case they were sworn at—

Ms COOK: Point of order, Mr Speaker: he continues to debate.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I uphold the point of order. Thank you, minister. The member for Colton was standing up, no? The deputy leader and then the member for Mount Gambier. Deputy leader.

The Hon. D.G. Pisoni: Is this a question on TAFE?

Dr CLOSE: I know about TAFE. Don't you worry, I know about TAFE.

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Industry and Skills is called to order.

Mr Cowdrey interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Colton is also called to order. Deputy leader.