Local Government Elections

Mr TELFER (Flinders) (14:59): My question is for the Minister for Local Government. Can the Minister for Local Government rule out any of his ministerial staff conducting political business for local government elections during working hours?

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Stuart—Minister for Local Government, Minister for Regional Roads, Minister for Veterans Affairs) (15:00): As I said a bit earlier, two things: these are what I consider accusations and I haven't got any proof of this.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister has the call. The Treasurer is called to order.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: As I indicated a bit earlier, if anyone has any issues here, or they see something that's going on with the local government elections, then I would encourage them first-up to bring it to the attention of the relevant people. In this case, I have indicated to the member that if there are any anomalies out there, something that's being done incorrectly, to bring that to the Electoral Commission of South Australia.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is called to order.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: Secondly, I have my ministerial staff working basically more than eight hours a day, sometimes 10 hours.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Morphett is called to order. The Minister for Trade and Investment is called to order.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: They do have to have a meal break and, secondly, they do have—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Morialta! The minister has the call.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: My ministerial staff would not have time.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Morialta is called to order and warned. The minister has the call.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: Ministerial staff in my department would not have time to do anything other than working for me directly—whether it's ministerial, for local government or veterans affairs.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: If, for argument's sake, the member has proof of any issues at all about my staff working outside their domain as the Minister for Local Government and working for me directly, please bring that to my attention and I will rule it out. If it is happening, I will stop it.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Adelaide and then the member for Flinders. Member for Flinders, I observe that government members have only had—this will be the fifth question, despite their numerical difference on the floor.