Noarlunga Centre Incident

Mr ODENWALDER (Elizabeth) (14:44): My question is to the Minister for Correctional Services. Did the minister or his department consult with the Parole Board before the release of the 20-year-old man who went on to be charged with the murder of a mother of two at Noarlunga Centre on 25 October?

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Picton interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Kaurna is warned for a second and final time.

Mr Hughes interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Giles is also warned.

Ms Stinson: I can see why you didn't bother coming earlier.

The SPEAKER: The member for Badcoe is also warned.

The Hon. J.W. Weatherill interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Cheltenham is surely not interjecting? The Deputy Premier has the call. I would like to hear the answer, please.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (14:44): Whilst the member continues questions such as this, it is disappointing to note that it appears he hasn't fully understood the gravity of the potential consequences of public statements in relation to a man who is currently—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —accused—

Mr Picton: This is about your actions, your government's actions.

The SPEAKER: Member for Kaurna, I am sorry, I will ask you to respectfully leave for half an hour, please, under 137A.

The honourable member for Kaurna having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —in relation to this matter. And to even assume that someone who is currently charged with the contemporary offences that he is, that there has been some antecedence of prior criminal conduct before that trial is concluded can be prejudicial, and I would ask the member to please respect the reason we have the principle of not dealing with matters in the public arena while something is sub judice. It is there for good reason. We want the people who are guilty to be properly and lawfully prosecuted, and we want the people who are innocent—

Ms Cook interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hurtle Vale is called to order.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: We don't want the prejudice, and even the question, which continues to assert that there is some antecedence of the current accused, may fall foul of that principle, and that is the concern that we continue to raise. I do not think I can make it any clearer. I am happy to give a briefing to the member.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: The members of this government, as I have said, are not going to breach—

Ms Hildyard interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Reynell.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —that principle in a circumstance where it could prejudice the lawful prosecution of someone who is before the courts. That is our position. I can't stop other members of the parliament making statements, but let it be clear: we will not be responsible on this side for a mistrial or a failure to lawfully prosecute someone who may or may not be innocent or guilty in this case, but I want that person to be lawfully prosecuted.

I want the person who is responsible for this young woman's death in Noarlunga Centre brought to account, and I don't want it interrupted or prejudiced by the irresponsible conduct of anyone, let alone people who are in this parliament who should know better.

Ms Cook interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hurtle Vale is called to order and warned. The member for Elizabeth and then the member for Elder.