McDonald, Ms S.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (15:06): My question is to the Attorney-General.

The Hon. S.S. Marshall: Did any of the people you appointed do legal work for the Labor Party?

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: What process has the Attorney-General put in place to avoid the perception of nepotism in relation to the candidacy of Liberal donor Ms Sandi McDonald—

The Hon. S.S. Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —for the position of DPP?

The SPEAKER: That question is in order.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (15:06): It is a very important question to ensure that the public have confidence in relation to the appointment of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which is an independent statutory role seized with the responsibility to make a determination and prosecute matters on behalf of the State of South Australia, so it is an important role. It is also very important that the process of appointment is independent and fair and ensures that there is every opportunity for the best candidates to step up and make that application.

I read in the paper somewhere that there are six applicants—or purported to be—in respect of this, but I haven't been briefed in respect of who they are, nor have I asked, for obvious reasons. We have put in place a senior panel, including two retired judges, a Queen's Counsel (a QC not an SC) and a senior member of the public sector as a broad area of experience that would, I think, be competent in advising me and the government as to a recommended final appointment for consideration and to then formally go through the process. It is a Governor's appointment, and so of course we want to make sure that that process, as I say, is both appropriate and independent.