Election Debate

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:49): My question is to the Premier. Why won't the Premier debate me, as Leader of the Opposition, in the lead-up to the election at either a Master Builders Association, a Business SA function or a Property Council function, all three of which have issued invites both to the Premier and me, yet only I have accepted thus far? What is the Premier scared of?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Playford! The ranks have already been thinned. They might be thinned further.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Premier, I have well in mind standing order 96. Premier.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:50): Yesterday, during question time I committed to coming back to the house with a detailed explanation on the need to have a Deputy Premier. I was advised that the portfolio of Deputy Premier should not be vacant for two key reasons. Firstly, if I was to be incapacitated or unable to perform my duties, the portfolio of the Deputy Premier makes it immediately clear who takes responsibility.

The second reason relates to the legal arrangements for ministerial portfolios. Ministerial portfolios are constructed as bodies corporate which would mean that, if vacant—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —the body corporate would need to be dissolved. The advice I was provided with was that it was considered unsuitable. In relation to the Administrative Arrangements Act, I was advised that section 7 of the Administrative Arrangements Act provides for the Governor to constitute ministers as bodies corporate but not to create the office of an unincorporated minister.

I would just point out that during the matter of privilege raised by the leader of opposition business, he alleged and I quote:

The Premier, in answer to a question during question time, claimed that the position of Deputy Premier was legislated within the Administrative Arrangements Act, a statute of this house.

I have checked the Hansard and I did not say that. I would just remind the house of the need to be careful when the member for West Torrens makes claims about other members. With regard the question that the leader has asked, there will be of course a schedule of debates in the lead-up to the next election and I would just encourage the leader, in the time he has remaining, to develop some useful policy.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The leader and then the member for Elder.