Member for Waite

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:26): Given that the Premier has not asked—

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Point of order: the use of the phrase 'given that' again presupposes a hypothetical and is out of order under standing order 97.

The SPEAKER: I respectfully advise the Minister for Transport, as I did the Minister for Education, that I would like those sorts of points of order towards the conclusion of the answer. But the leader does know better. I will give him one opportunity to rephrase and then I am switching to the member for Narungga.

Mr MALINAUSKAS: My question is to the Premier. For what did the Premier ask the member for Waite to apologise?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:27): This has been already in the public domain, but I'm happy to provide it again to the parliament. When I became—

Mr Malinauskas: Answer the question.

The SPEAKER: Leader, you are warned.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: When I became aware of an incident that occurred on Friday 13 December, I contacted the member for Waite and I asked him whether his recollection of events concurred with those that had been reported to me. He indicated that his behaviour—

Mr Picton: What were they?

The SPEAKER: Member for Kaurna!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —on that night was unacceptable. I suggested to him that he make an immediate apology and, to the best of my knowledge, that is exactly and precisely what he tried to do. My understanding is that he has now given a direct apology and a public apology for his behaviour on that evening, which was completely and utterly unacceptable. They are the facts that have been put into the public domain and they have been supported by the member for Waite, who also says that the actions on that night were unacceptable.

Ms Stinson: So you don't know what he did, but he had to apologise.

The SPEAKER: The member for Badcoe is on two warnings and continues to interject. Member for Badcoe, you can leave today, please, for half an hour under 137A.

The honourable member for Badcoe having withdrawn from the chamber:

The SPEAKER: Leader, I am going to the member for Narungga. I will come back to you. You have plenty of time to think of your next one. Member for Narungga.