Gibson Electorate Office

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:32): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Did the minister ever make undertakings to institute changes in his behaviour in his electorate office as a result of mediation by the Department of Treasury and Finance's Electorate Services?

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Energy and Mining on a point of order.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order: we on this side have been extremely patient with this line of questioning but it actually is out of order, Mr Speaker. The Treasurer is responsible to parliament for the employment of electorate officers in electorate offices. Standing order 96 also refers to ministerial responsibilities in matters of public affairs, not things like this.

The SPEAKER: I have already—

Mr Picton: A taxpayer-funded office.

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for Kaurna! I have already indicated my disquiet in relation to standing order 96 as it applied to the line of questioning. I uphold the point of order. The question—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Lee!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The leader is called to order. The member for Mawson is called to order and warned.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Are we allowed to ask questions, sir?

The SPEAKER: Is there a member seconding the call?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: You see we have questions. Can we ask them?

The SPEAKER: Member for West Torrens.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Thank you, sir.