Bills

Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio) (No. 2) Bill

Committee Stage

In committee (resumed on motion).

Clause 12.

The CHAIR: We are still on clause 12. The member for Kaurna has asked one question. I believe that he has another one. The member for Kaurna has the call.

Mr PICTON: Your record keeping is immaculate, Mr Chairman; it has to be. As I recall, the previous question I asked the Attorney-General was in relation to whether she and the department had considered the nature and effect of the amendments, or whether they just acted on the advice of ICAC, and she said that they had considered this. In light of that, will the Attorney-General outline what she believes is the nature and effect of this particular amendment?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: Firstly, can I just clarify that. The original question was whether the department had considered it, not me personally.

Mr Picton interjecting:

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: Well, in any event, that was the question but, in relation to the effect of it, it is to incorporate the applicability of the law in respect of councils. That is the applicability, adding in the words 'or council' after 'agency' as identified.

Mr PICTON: Did the Attorney-General or her department consult with the Local Government Association, and what is their position on the amendments?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: I am advised that they were informed but that we have not received any submission in relation to it. I will refer the member also to my previous answer, and that was that, at the time this bill was being presented by the former government, by the former member for Enfield, the then attorney-general, which ended up in deadlock, perhaps, he could recall his own cabinet deliberations in relation to the bill at that time; but in relation to this particular bill, they were advised of it.

Clause passed.

Clauses 13 to 15 passed.

Clause 16.

Mr PICTON: In relation to this there has been some discussion on amendments and positions of a former member of the other place, the Hon. Kelly Vincent. I am wondering whether the Attorney-General, or her department, or her office consulted with the former member of parliament the Hon. Kelly Vincent, before introducing this bill, and, if so, what was her position on the amendments?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: If the question is whether the Hon. Kelly Vincent, now retired from the parliament, was consulted on this proposal, the answer is no.

Clause passed.

Clauses 17 to 20 passed.

Clause 21.

Mr PICTON: In relation to these amendments under clause 21, can the Attorney-General outline who requested these amendments be made?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: This amendment proposal was initiated by a request from the Public Trustee.

Mr PICTON: Can the Attorney-General outline whether any of her cabinet colleagues recused themselves from the cabinet discussion about this clause?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: I do not know that I am even at liberty to advise the parliament in respect of any cabinet deliberations, including occasions when a member withdraws from consideration of any items in cabinet having identified any potential conflict of interest, so I will not be answering that question.

Mr PICTON: Can the Attorney-General answer whether any of her cabinet colleagues are involved with, are on the board of, or run any charities that might benefit from these arrangements as outlined in the amendments?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: It is a very general question. I imagine this deals with a number of charitable trusts; there may be hundreds or thousands of them in South Australia. I would need to have some specific information, but not that I am aware of.

Clause passed.

Remaining clauses (22 and 23) and title passed.

Bill reported with amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (15:46): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.