Deputy Premier

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:42): My question is to the Premier. Did the Premier instruct MPs in his moderate faction to vote for the Minister for Energy and Mining for the position of deputy leader of the Liberal Party? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr MALINAUSKAS: ABC 891 presenter David Bevan told listeners last Friday morning, 'So they hold a vote, Dan gets elected, David Speirs loses. I get a text later in the evening and it says, "Feel free to use this quote tomorrow" from a 'senior Liberal' and it was sent to me from a senior Liberal in the South Australian parliament.' The quote is this—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members to my right and to my left!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Chaffey is called to order. The member for Chaffey is warned.

Mr MALINAUSKAS: The quote is this, and this person wants this read out today: 'The decision from the Premier's office to whip the moderates to vote for Dan van Holst Pellekaan has ended any chance for factional healing. They've blown it.'

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:43): No.