Privatisation

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:11): My question is to the Premier. Will the Premier now apologise to the people of South Australia for breaking his election 'no privatisation agenda' promise?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: I imagine the point of order—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Members on my left, be quiet. I imagine the point of order is for argument, section 97: 'a Member may not offer argument or opinion', and there is a characterisation of privatisation.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Yes, sir.

The SPEAKER: What I am going to do is I am going to allow—the thing is, if I do uphold that point of order, the Premier also will not have an opportunity to refute any such claims. So, in the spirit of debate, what I am going to do is I am going to allow the Premier an opportunity to respond, but I will be listening carefully, and the point of order is a meritorious one. Premier.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:11): Thank you very much, sir. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. Before the election, I was asked specific questions about the privatisation issue, and in fact questions were put to us regarding SA Water, and we made it very clear that we didn't have a privatisation agenda. Whilst that comment that the opposition has—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Whilst the answer that was provided to that question related specifically to SA Water, it does—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Cheltenham is called to order. The member for Elizabeth is called to order.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Settle, settle. The Premier has the call.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: As I was saying, sir, even though those comments related specifically to a question that was asked of me regarding the privatisation of SA Water—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Szakacs interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Cheltenham is warned.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Shall I try a third time, sir?

The SPEAKER: Please.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Whilst those—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: I have finished my answer.

The SPEAKER: The Premier has concluded his answer.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is called to order, and if this level of interjections continues members will be departing the chamber, and I will not be upholding points of order for debate when I can barely hear the answer. The leader and then the member for Morphett.