McGowan, Dr C.

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:42): My question is to the Premier. What powers does the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment have to compel the production of evidence as part of her inquiry into Dr Chris McGowan?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order: questions seeking legal advice are not appropriate.

The SPEAKER: That is a bogus point of order, but I can understand why, on the spur of the moment, the minister raised it, so I will be merciful and not eject him on this occasion. I am going to allow one of the cabinet an opportunity to answer. Premier.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:43): I don't know where the opposition is going on this matter. Asking whether or not—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Light!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —the commissioner has powers to seize documents from somebody who is offering all information seems a little bit heavy handed. It probably says more about what was going on in the government when they were in power. It says a lot about their state of mind, quite frankly, rather than what is going on.

As I have just outlined to the house, we see this as an administrative error. In an abundance of caution, the commissioner, who is independent, is going to take a look at this. I don't think anybody in this parliament would suggest the commissioner is anything other than of high integrity and perfectly well qualified to look into this issue, and that is precisely what is going to happen.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!