House of Assembly Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1) 54 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Member's Remarks Member's Remarks Dr CLOSE House of Assembly Port Adelaide Deputy Leader of the Opposition Member's Remarks Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:27): My question is to the Premier. Does the Premier think it's nasty of women to ask him questions? The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly Dunstan Premier Member's Remarks The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:27): I am happy to answer this, sir, because it was raised and I thought in a— Dr Close interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is called to order. The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —pretty bizarre way where, of course, there was no allegation specifically made but something which was put. I would just invite them, if there is any specific claim by any member, to make it, preferably outside of this chamber where I think it could actually be taken up. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: I will tell you what I don't think is acceptable— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —was the behaviour of some of the cabinet ministers in the former government. On very regular occasions we heard about some of the foul language the member for West Torrens used. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! Could the Premier please resume his seat. The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Conversational swearing, sir; I think that's unacceptable. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Could the Premier please resume his seat. Is the Premier finished? The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens has a point of order for debate. I have to say that the Premier is beginning to deviate. I will listen carefully, but I will ask him to come to the substance of the question. The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Well, sir, the substance of the question was with regard to the use of the word 'nasty', which I think is— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —a descriptive but not necessarily offensive word. By way of contrast, I am presenting to the house— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! Members on my left would like me to rule on whether there is debate. It is a bit hard when I can't hear the answer. The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —because I am asked whether it is acceptable and the answer is yes. What is unacceptable, of course, is the way that some members of the former cabinet acted. There didn't seem to be any consequences for that. We heard of the unbelievable conversational swearing offered by the member for West Torrens— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —which appeared in the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption's report into the maladministration which occurred with regard to the Gillman matter. We also heard— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —at some great length the foul language used towards a female counterpart of the former minister for environment and water down on Leigh Street. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: I don't want to ever, ever utter those words. But, of course, that was language tolerated by the weak Labor Party, which was in government— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Premier, please be seated. Is the Premier finished? The Premier has completed his answer? The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: No, I've got hours, sir. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: The point of order is for debate? The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, sir. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: With respect, Premier, I have always allowed some compare and contrast. I think you have used up your quota, and I would ask you to either come back to the substance of the question or conclude your answer. The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Thank you, sir. I have tried to present to the house some examples of unacceptable language. I won't go into providing further examples because, as you pointed out, I have given two extraordinarily good examples so far. But there is a standard which needs to be observed. It wasn't observed by the former government; it will be observed by this government. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Flinders. I will come back to those on my left.