Member for Waite

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:14): My question is to the Premier of South Australia. Why won't the Premier show some leadership and express a proper view about whether or not the member for Waite should be a member of the Liberal Party and preselected as a Liberal Party candidate?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport! The Minister for Energy and Mining rises on a point of order.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Standing order 97: argument, as the leader knows.

The SPEAKER: The way in which the question was framed might clearly have been seen to provide a premise. I think that the Minister for Energy and Mining is seeking the call.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Well, I was waiting—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left!

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: I was waiting for you to finish, sir. When will somebody do such and such with an implication and an argument that the member is not doing such and such is outside standing order 97.

The SPEAKER: To the extent that it was a question that was premised on a certain statement of affairs, it might have been seen to be offering argument or opinion. I will give the leader an opportunity to rephrase the question, should he wish, without providing such a premise. Does the leader seek the call?