matter of privilege, speaker's statement

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:15): My question is to you, sir. Were you aware that the Chief Executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Mr Jim McDowell, advised Brand SA on 8 May—eight days before the Premier's statement to the parliament—that Brand SA's funding would be cut before the Speaker made his ruling?

The SPEAKER (14:15): I refer the member for West Torrens to my earlier statements.