Independent Commissioner Against Corruption

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (15:07): My question is to the Premier. Was the Premier's meeting with the ICAC commissioner last week consistent with the Ministerial Code of Conduct regarding having dignified personal conduct when he got angry with the commissioner?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (15:07): I have made all the comments that I will regarding this matter, but let me tell you that there has been no breach of any Ministerial Code of Conduct that I am aware of whatsoever—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —in my behaviour or the behaviour of any of my cabinet since we came to government. Of course, that cannot be said for the previous government. In fact, if I were permitted time I could outline—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —a very large number of breaches that occurred over a period of time. One of the most stark examples of a breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct that the previous government failed to address was the way the previous minister for environment—

Mr PICTON: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: Premier, there is a point of order; one moment. This is your question time. The point of order is for?

Mr PICTON: Debate.

The SPEAKER: The point of order is for debate. The question contained a few facets, and one mentioned the code of conduct. I imagine the Premier is going to contrast the behaviour of the former government with the current government. I will allow that to a point and then I would ask him to come to the substance of the question. Premier.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Sir, I am here only as a humble servant of this parliament and I am providing information that I think is relevant—

The SPEAKER: Aren't we all.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —for people to understand with regard to the Ministerial Code of Conduct. I am not aware of any breaches of the Ministerial Code of Conduct since we came to government 20 months ago. By contrast, there were many, many breaches of the Ministerial Code of Conduct under the previous government, and those went completely and utterly unpunished. Take, for example, that disgraceful episode in our state's history when the former minister for environment was caught screaming, shouting and swearing at an interstate minister for environment. This was absolutely disgraceful.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: There were no consequences whatsoever—

The Hon. T.J. Whetstone interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Primary Industries is warned.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —for the behaviour that occurred under the previous government. Of course, the behaviour of the member for West Torrens, the way that he spoke to members of his staff, is of course now a matter of an ICAC inquiry—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —and we have all the details that flowed on from that ICAC inquiry for everybody to read. It's in the public domain now for all time. What was the response from those opposite when they were in government?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Well, it was just to laugh it off—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Hurtle Vale!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —and to say it was just a slip of the tongue, it was conversational swearing. It was a very clear breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct and it wasn't—

Mr PICTON: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: There is a point of order. Premier, be seated for one moment.

Mr PICTON: Debate.

The SPEAKER: I would ask that interjections stop. The member for Kaurna raises a fair point and I would ask the Premier to come back to the substance of the question.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: I will wind up, but I do make the point that when asked about our performance in terms of the Ministerial Code of Conduct, I am very pleased with the way that ministers have behaved. Of course, I contrast that with the way that the previous government's ministers behaved over an extended period of time—no consequences for poor behaviour. That's what the people of South Australia came to expect from the previous government.

But there was a changing of the guard in March of last year and, of course, we will always act with respect and we will do whatever needs to be done to restore public confidence in the government and the way that the cabinet behaves.