Members, Accommodation Allowances

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:48): My question is to the Premier. Will the Premier make available to the anticorruption branch of South Australia Police all information held by RevenueSA regarding Terry Stephens' land tax requirements for his Norwood property?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hammond is called to order; it is most unhelpful. Premier, if you heard the question you can—

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:48): I don't have any information to suggest that this would be a matter for the anticorruption branch, but if the member opposite does have any information that would suggest that this is the case, he should do that. Not only should he do it, he has an obligation to do that.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: But he doesn't have an obligation to come in here with smear and innuendo, but that is exactly and precisely what happened earlier. We heard the member for—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir: personal reflections and impugning an improper motive on myself. I ask the Premier to withdraw and apologise.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hammond and the member for Playford, you can both leave for the remainder of question time.

The honourable members for Hammond and Playford having withdrawn from the chamber:

The SPEAKER: I can't have members accuse other members of smearing, so what I am going to do is respectfully ask the Premier to withdraw that part of the comment. Can the Premier withdraw, thank you.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: I am happy to withdraw that comment, sir, but I would like to update the house on questions that the member for West Torrens asked in this parliament only a few moments ago. In fact, he asked the member for Finniss why he had failed to record an asset on his register of interest. It is very clear why he has failed to record that asset on his register of interest and that is because he does not own the property in which he lives. He leases that property. Again I emphasise: it's easy for the member for West Torrens and for the grubby opposition to be throwing stones in this regard, but you do not understand what our country members go through, being away from their families, their homes, their constituents.

A small item that you should be aware of: today, the Basham family lost their dog. This is a very important part of their family. But the member for Finniss can't go home and tell his daughters that unfortunately they have lost their dog. You might think this is a small point but this is what country members have to go through all the time. They spend weeks and months away from their constituents and their family members on an ongoing basis. They make a commitment to this place, and there should be a little bit more respect coming from the member for West Torrens.