Review of Harassment in the South Australian Parliament Workplace

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:14): My question is again to the Premier. What action has the Premier taken to seek to assure himself that the incident of sexual assault, identified in the report of the acting equal opportunity commissioner, did not involve a Liberal MP?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government) (14:14): Again, can I perhaps reiterate what has already been placed on the record for the benefit of the member. The survey that was undertaken by the acting equal opportunity commissioner was done on the basis that information provided and subsequent interviews for those who wished to have an interview and put an oral submission was done on a strictly confidential basis, and members will see that at no time during the report has there been a disclosure of the names of persons who completed the survey and/or provided information to her inquiry.

For obvious reasons, that needs to be done to ensure that people come forward and, secondly, that the envelope of confidentiality, which they have been told they are getting, will be respected. For anyone to attempt to go through and, for example, inquire as to anyone here in the workplace who has given a submission and/or provided an interview with the commissioner I would see as being in total conflict of that honour that was given to the party.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: I just make it very clear that it would be inappropriate for any member of this parliament, I suggest, to start making inquiry of either each other or other members of staff or former members of staff who may have given evidence or information to the commissioner.

Mr Brown interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Playford is called to order.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: I just make that absolutely clear. This promise—

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Lee!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —was given by the commissioner. She undertook her work within those terms and people came forward and provided clearly very difficult and sensitive information. I would hope that every person in this parliament will respect that.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Before I call the member for Elder, I call to order the member for Lee, I call to order the member for Schubert, I call to order the member for West Torrens and I call to order the leader.