Members, Accommodation Allowances

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:46): My question is to the member for Narungga. Has the member for Narungga benefited from free accommodation by staying at Terry Stephens' Norwood property at no expense and then failed to declare that on his register of member's interest? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yesterday, when I asked in the parliament, the member for Narungga said, 'I have not recorded any similar items on my register of interest regarding accommodation in Adelaide.' During this period, the member for Narungga has claimed more than $56,000 from the country members' accommodation allowance while staying at the Norwood home of Terry Stephens.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:46): Sir, as this parliament knows, you have made a decision to refer the issue of country members' accommodation allowances to the Auditor-General. I am quite sure he has all the requisite skills and capacities to undertake a fulsome inquiry into this matter. I believe that he will come back to this house with his analysis of the current situation and any recommendations that he believes are necessary for us as a parliament to consider. We look forward to receiving that report.