Data Harvesting

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (15:10): My question is to the Premier. I ask the Premier again: has he requested or received a government indemnity for legal representation as a result of the Ombudsman's evidence to the Crime and Public Integrity Policy Committee today of the Crown Solicitor?

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens will resume his seat. The Minister for Energy and Mining rises on a point of order.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: By the minister's own admission, he has asked the same question two times in a row and that's outside standing orders.

The SPEAKER: The question, although it might be described as repetitive, is being allowed and I will give the Deputy Premier the opportunity to answer the question.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government) (15:11): The way this works—and I think the member for West Torrens amongst most of us should understand this process because he seems to be fairly au fait with it—is that an application goes in by the party in question. Often it has to be at the commencement of a matter; that is, you can't just simply say, 'I've gone off and I've appointed X QC and I want you to reimburse all my expenses when it's all over.' There is a process that has to be done. An application has to be made by the party—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Kaurna!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —who is seeking some reimbursement for expenses incurred in relation to work usually associated with that; I generalise it, but it's in the course of their duties as a member of parliament or a public servant or minister.

That is a process that then goes to the Crown Solicitor. It's not one of which you have applications by other parties. It is a matter for the Crown Solicitor. It has to comply with a number of rules in relation to it, but that is the application. As the member has asked on previous occasions whether certain persons have actually got benefits, as I have indicated, I would provide the information as I was allowed, and I have: I have provided that information to the member for West Torrens on a question on notice.

I think, from memory, there were six that he asked for in relation to members of parliament applications, and I indicated that I wouldn't be identifying whether they were Liberal or Labor or any other political party but that that information had been provided. It's been in the question on notice answers.