Members, Accommodation Allowances

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:51): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. What administrative errors did he make in claiming over $29,000 of moneys he wasn't entitled to?

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning) (14:52): I thank the member for West Torrens for his question. This is a matter that the government and I take extremely seriously, I think as evidenced by the fact, Mr Speaker, that you today have tabled documents in a way that is transparent that this parliament has not seen for generations.

The Hon. A. Piccolo interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Light!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Mr Speaker, I do consider that I have complied with all the guidelines in relation to the claiming of this allowance. I do stay with my parents and I do incur expenses when I do so, but it is fair to say that, since the November 2018 determination, there has been ambiguity around this allowance. Until that ambiguity is resolved, out of an abundance of caution and to put this issue beyond doubt, I've repaid that money and I am not going to claim the allowance until that ambiguity is resolved.

More than that, I have undertaken to look at all my claims over my time in this place and have found three administrative errors. Those have also been repaid to make sure that everything is in order and everything is as it should be. The steps that I've taken are ones to put this issue beyond doubt, to make sure that everything is done in accordance as it should be. That, Mr Speaker, has been made transparent by you today, and that is certainly something that I welcome.