Keogh Case

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:33): My question is to the Attorney-General. Is the Attorney-General aware of the former solicitor-general's advice that any possibility that Ms Cheney's death was caused by natural causes is convincingly denied by the incriminating circumstances of Anna-Jane's death?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order: the member continues to characterise the legal advice in a way without seeking leave and without quoting the relevant passage in full. Either reason makes the question out of order.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I'm trying to hear the point of order. The point of order is that information is taken and it is being argued in a way. Is that what the point of order is—characterised—

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Characterisation of a piece of legal advice without being quoted is being presented contrary to standing order 97 and without leave.

The SPEAKER: In putting any such question, a member may not offer argument or opinion—

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: It's on the edge. I'm going to allow that question. I do have the point of order, but I do accept that it's on the edge.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (14:34): As I have advised the house, I have read the document. I have noted the advice that was given to me of the intention of the chief executive to provide a copy of it to Channel 7 pursuant to freedom of information. Obviously, I have had to receive advice in respect of material in the document which may or may not be able to meet the standards as set in the FOI Act—for example, in relation to personal information about the victim, Ms Cheney, and whether that should be in some way excised. Those are the sorts of things that are in the report.

But the question of the import of the opinion by the then solicitor-general, as I say, has been succeeded by events which quashed the relevant sentence and on which I and, indeed, the previous government had advice.