Kangaroo Island Bushfire Response

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson) (14:55): My question is to the Premier. Why has the Premier not responded to any of the 16 letters I have written to him about the Kangaroo Island bushfires, dating back to day 4 of the crisis, on 23 December?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:55): I can update the house because I have now received advice that I have visited Kangaroo Island eight times since 20 December, and three of those times have been for more than five hours. Of course, I am not the only person from the government who has visited Kangaroo Island during that time. In fact, I think that the cabinet has visited on multiple occasions—some people on a very regular occurrence.

The entire Liberal party room was over there earlier this year, and we saw firsthand the devastation that was caused by the fires which, I understand from the member for Mawson, started on 13 December. Of course, they escalated thereafter and, on 3 January, wreaked havoc across the western end of Kangaroo Island. We are very well aware of the issues over there. We are making regular visits. I do note that His Excellency the Hon. Hieu Van Le, Governor of South Australia, is actually on Kangaroo Island as we speak.

There have been multiple visits from very senior members across Australia, including the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, cabinet ministers and senior members of the military who were looking at what happened with the deployment of the ADF.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: Premier, just resume your seat for one moment; there is a point of order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: This is now debate. The Premier, for over a minute, has been talking about visiting Kangaroo Island. The question was about answering correspondence.

The SPEAKER: I think the question was about correspondence concerning Kangaroo Island. I have the point of order. It's a valid point of order; however, what I am looking out for is whether there is some content in the answer that does come to the substance of the question. I appreciate the point of order, and I will listen carefully to it. The Premier has the call.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Thank you, sir. I apologise if I was not answering the question directly, but it related to the earlier question from the member for Mawson. I was providing that update to the house. If I did it at the wrong point in proceedings, then I apologise to you, sir, and to the house. With regard to this question from the member for Mawson that related to correspondence I didn't realise it was 16 letters. Last time I asked it was 12 letters, and my understanding from my office is that they are preparing an answer for the member for Mawson now.

As I have previously pointed out to the house, the very first letter that came in seemed to have a bit of a whinge about the fact that the deputy leader hadn't smiled at him as he was walking down the street.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: He doesn't understand that that was exactly the day that the deputy leader visited her own property on Kangaroo Island and saw the devastation firsthand.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: So rather than the member for Mawson out grandstanding on Kangaroo Island and not recognising—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —the loss that's been suffered on this side of the house—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: Premier, resume your seat. The point of order is for debate?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Personal reflection on members, so I ask the Premier to withdraw and apologise.

The SPEAKER: If someone has taken offence, then the person who takes offence should rise in their place and do so. I uphold the point of order on the basis that I believe that the Premier was deviating from the question.

The Hon. T.J. Whetstone interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Minister for Primary Industries, happy birthday—and you are called to order.

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell interjecting:

The SPEAKER: It's okay, member for Mawson. Would the Premier like to conclude his answer? I ask you to please not provoke the opposition so late in the day.

The Hon. S.S. Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Premier has finished his answer. Member for Mawson.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Mr Speaker, I would like an apology and a withdrawal from the Premier. I have done nothing over the last 76 days except work very, very hard for people in my electorate who have gone through very, very tough times—

The SPEAKER: A point of order.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: —and to accuse me of grandstanding is nothing short of scandalous and disgraceful.

The SPEAKER: I have the point of order. With respect, I didn't hear the Premier single out the member for Mawson specifically.

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell: What sort of Speaker are you? You're meant to be running this place.