Members, Accommodation Allowances

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:19): My question is to the Premier. Why won't the Premier name which country members have wrongfully claimed the allowance?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:19): I think I was very clear both at my press conference earlier today and to the house with my answer earlier today that it remains the responsibility of every single member of this parliament to put their applications in for their allowance in accordance with the rules and guidelines. Today I can also inform the house that the government will be making a submission to the Remuneration Tribunal, asking for a greater level of clarity with regard to the country MPs' accommodation allowance.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Playford is called to order. The member for Badcoe is called to order.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: I think it is fair to say that there has been some ambiguity in relation to the country members—

Mr Picton interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Kaurna is called to order

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: I believe it is time to take a look at it. This is one of the reasons why we as a government are putting a very large spotlight on this issue. Previously, you would note, certainly under those who were in power for 16 years, sir—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —we would get a total at the end of the year in dollar value. What we are suggesting going forward is monthly reporting not just of the dollar amount but the dates for which the member is claiming that allowance. This is a higher level of scrutiny than we have ever had in the history of this state. It is much, much higher—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Leader! The member for Lee is called to order.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —than exists in any other jurisdiction in Australia. I think that every time a member of this parliament—

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Leader, order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —makes an application for that allowance, they need to make sure that they are abiding by those guidelines.