Commissioner for Victims' Rights

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:49): My question is to the Attorney-General. Does the Attorney-General stand by her decision to sack, over the phone, long-serving and highly respected victims' rights commissioner, Mr Michael O'Connell?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order: that question contained argument.

The SPEAKER: The argument that something happened, minister?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: The characterisation in the way that the member put it is not accepted and is entirely objectionable as per the standing orders. If the opposition don't respect the standing orders, then that is their concern.

The SPEAKER: Which part of the question, respectfully?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: The accusation that an action had happened in a certain characterisation is inaccurate.

The SPEAKER: Could I hear the question again?

Mr PICTON: Yes. Does the Attorney-General stand by her decision to sack, over the phone, long-serving and highly respected victims rights' commissioner, Michael O'Connell? And everything in there is true.

The SPEAKER: I didn't need the explanation. I'm going to allow the question. Deputy Premier.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (14:50): Again, I don't accept the premise of the alleged facts, which are clearly not factual from our perspective, in relation to the question.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: Let me just put the position very clearly. Mr Michael O'Connell for some 20 years was in charge in relation to victims and then later became a commissioner of long standing. In fact, I think he was appointed originally by the Hon. Trevor Griffin, not as a commissioner but as the director or executive in relation to victims. So, he had a longstanding commitment to that position and it was expiring within a short time after the change of government.

It is correct that the government determined that there would not be a renewal of that contract and that Ms Bronwyn Killmier would be appointed, after a selection process that took place. We thank Michael O'Connell, as I have in the past, for his service. I am very pleased to report to the parliament that Ms Killmier is working very hard. She has already cleaned out the office in the sense of dealing with a complete new program of data management and file management for victims—

Mr Picton interjecting:

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

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —and is well underway to placing her focus on domestic violence and regional support to victims particularly. I'm pleased to report to the parliament that she is doing an excellent job.

The SPEAKER: The member for Enfield, then the member for Kavel.