Springbank Secondary College

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:32): My question is to the Minister for Education. Did the minister inform the school leadership at Springbank Secondary College that he was considering initiating a process for closing the school prior to telling a journalist that he was doing so?

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Point of order: that question contained argument and is out of order under standing order 97.

The SPEAKER: I am going to allow the question, but I am going to ask for the noise to reduce. I am going to allow the question, so I would like to hear the question again, and then I am going to give the minister an opportunity to answer.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Thank you, member for West Torrens. If I do, I will get back to you. Can I have the question again?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (14:33): I am happy to answer the question.

The SPEAKER: You have the question.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: I spoke to the school principal on Tuesday. I answered a journalist's questions on Wednesday.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Members on my left, I have allowed the question.

Mr Malinauskas: What about the answer?

The SPEAKER: Yes, well, you might not like the answer, but that's irrelevant.