SA Health, ICAC Report

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:44): My question is to the Premier. Has the Premier met with the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, the Hon. Bruce Lander QC, since the report into SA Health was tabled at 11am on Tuesday and, if not, why not?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:45): I meet with the ICAC commissioner on a reasonably regular basis. I haven't met with him this week. I haven't had a request to meet with him this week.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Playford, you can also leave for the remainder of question time.

The honourable member for Playford having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: I meet with the commissioner on a reasonably regular basis, but I haven’t met with him this week. I know for a fact that members opposite quite often had to meet with him on a reasonably regular basis. That was within a completely different arrangement: they were appearing before the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption asking questions about their behaviour. That hasn't been the case since I came to government, but I do enjoy meeting with Mr Lander—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: I am not sure what—

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens is on two warnings. Premier, come back to the question.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —those opposite are suggesting, but I know for a fact that I have not appeared before the ICAC. I would know that and I would remember that. Some people have selective memories, some people have conversational swearing, some people preside over all sorts of administrations. The fact of the matter is I have not appeared before the ICAC as those opposite have suggested.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Check the Hansard.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: The reality is we have touched a raw nerve. Every time the word 'ICAC' comes up, there is a certain member for whom it sends a little shiver up his spine. We respect the work of the ICAC. We respect the work of the ICAC and we thank him for his important work, not just with this report but all the work that he and his hardworking, assiduous team have done.

That is one of the reasons why we on this side of the house, when we were in opposition, suggested for a long period of time to establish an Independent Commission Against Corruption. Those opposite, many of them now advocating, were of course doing everything they possibly could to make sure that that type of reformist legislation never saw the light of day. I am pleased that we as a parliament did put that level of protection in place to establish an Office for Public Integrity, that we established the crime and public integrity committee within this parliament—

Mr Malinauskas: Done by your government? It was our government.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Yes, if the Leader of the Opposition was paying attention he would have understood that that is exactly the point that I have just made. I think he is coming in and out of consciousness. It's the last sitting day of the year, or is it? I'm just saying.

The reality is that we thank the commissioner for his important work and this review. We worked hard to establish a commissioner's role here in South Australia and we are grateful that that legislation prevailed. It is, of course, one of the reasons why since coming to government we have significantly increased the resources to the ICAC here in South Australia. The most recent budget, I think, had a $15 million increase in the budget that was handed down in June this year. I think I will leave it at that.

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I can hear the member for Lee.