Member for Waite

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:06): My question is to the Premier. Why has the Premier been so keen to spruik the Hon. Tammy Franks' statement in the Legislative Council this afternoon to all who are willing to listen? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

The Hon. D.C. van Holst Pellekaan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The leader will resume his seat for a moment. The Minister for Energy and Mining on a point of order.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Speaker, as the leader knows, he is not able to put an argument 'why is the person so keen to do this that and the other' and then hide behind the following explanation. Argument at the front is argument at the front, and it's out of order.

The SPEAKER: To this extent, I uphold the point of order. Characterisation of the nature of doing something in fact is out of order. If the leader wishes to seek leave to introduce facts and then to put the question including those facts, then I will hear the leader about that. Does the leader seek leave?

Mr MALINAUSKAS: I am happy to rephrase the question and seek leave.

The SPEAKER: Well, it's a matter for the leader.

Mr MALINAUSKAS: Has the Premier been deliberately spruiking the Hon. Tammy Franks' statement in the Legislative Council this afternoon? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr MALINAUSKAS: On ABC radio this morning, the Premier alluded to the fact that the Hon. Ms Franks would be making a statement in parliament today about the 2019 Christmas party, and then in the Premier's press conference this morning the Premier mentioned the Hon. Tammy Franks' statement no less than three times when pressed about whether or not the Premier had a view about the member for Waite being let back into the Liberal Party.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:07): No.

The SPEAKER: Before I call the leader, I call to order the Premier and I call to order the member for West Torrens.