Renewal SA

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. How many warrants were issued by law enforcement officers on Renewal SA and its employees?

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning) (14:45): Mr Speaker, this is obviously where this line of questioning is attempting to go, and that is an extension of what happens in estimates. That is an attempt by the opposition to draw conclusions, and to entice me into drawing conclusions, that are simply not responsible to make.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Light is warned for a second and final time. The member for West Torrens is on two warnings.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Can I say that responsible governments have a series of priorities and responsibilities that they have to have regard to. First and foremost, we are elected here to serve the people of South Australia. But in addition to those responsibilities, we have responsibilities to our cabinet colleagues, as ministers. We have responsibilities—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens has a point of order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: This is debate, sir. My question was very specific.

The SPEAKER: Debate. I'm listening to the answer. I believe the minister is going to come back to the substance of the question. I will allow some preamble and then I expect him to get very close to the question, and get to the substance of the question soon. Minister—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I'm listening to his answer and I ask members on my left to be quiet while I listen.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: We have a whole series of responsibilities that we must have regard to. The statements that I have made in relation to the repeated questioning by members of the opposition is what a responsible government and what a responsible minister say, having regard to the duties and responsibilities that they have with the very serious office that they hold. It is why we've taken a very responsible course with the statements that we've made. It's why, even though the opposition continues to try to create a level of smear and innuendo in relation to the questions that they're asking—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —we will not be deterred. We will not allow members of the opposition—

The SPEAKER: There's a point of order. Minister, please be seated.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: My point of order is debate, sir. The question was about how many warrants have been issued—

The SPEAKER: Yes, I have the question. Is the minister finished?

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Yes, sir.

The SPEAKER: He has finished his answer.

The Hon. A. Piccolo: He didn't answer it.

The SPEAKER: Well, that was his answer.