Members, Accommodation Allowances

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (15:16): Was the minister advised by the Speaker and/or the Clerk in 2018—

Mr Pederick: Who are you asking, Tom?

The SPEAKER: The member for Hammond is helpful for once. Member for West Torrens, can we have the question again.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Sir, I apologise. My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure. Was the minister advised by the Speaker or the Clerk of the House of Assembly that the Remuneration Tribunal required expenses to be incurred to be eligible to claim the country members' travel allowance? With your leave and that of the house, I will explain, sir.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Emails were sent out to all members of parliament detailing the tribunal's determinations, and the minister has claimed repeatedly, before and after, the country members' travel allowance.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: Point of order, Mr Speaker: I think there has been some leniency exercised in relation to standing order 96, which requires there be questions on public—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: A point of order on standing order 96. Do listen, now that you're back.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I'm listening.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: In doing so, whilst there's been some information provided by the minister in relation to the matters you have tabled and referred to the Auditor-General, enhanced by the contribution from the Premier, those matters are under consideration. This is not public business. This is not a question about the register of interests. The issue is correspondence between the member and yourself in relation to this matter. I suggest it is out of order. That is not public business.

The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order.