Media Releases

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:32): My question is to the Premier. Does the Premier stand by his statement to the house in his previous answer regarding the change of distribution of media releases to journalists? With your leave, and that of the house, sir, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Earlier today, on 30 March, the Premier issued a public statement saying, and I quote:

To ensure that there is no confusion amongst journalists or members of the public, the government will now use a different system for sending media releases to journalists.

If you are not responsible, why did you make a public statement?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:33): I thank the member for his question. I can now clarify to the house that, yes, we have moved to a new platform. That was a decision that has been made this morning and now implemented, so all journalists should be very happy. Although the previous system has served journalists in South Australia extraordinarily well—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —over I'm not sure how many years, but certainly the last six or eight years it has served them well, we have moved to a new method for distributing press releases to the media press pack as of today.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the Premier! Order, members on my right and members on my left! Before I call the member for West Torrens, I call to order the Premier, I call to order the member for Wright and the member for Playford. Is the member for West Torrens seeking the call?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, sir.