House of Assembly Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1) 55 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Local Government Elections Local Government Elections Mr TELFER House of Assembly Flinders Local Government Elections Mr TELFER (Flinders) (15:06): My question is to the Minister for Local Government. Will the Minister for Local Government protect local government election candidates from harassment and intimidation by ministerial staff members? With your leave, sir, and that of the house— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Flinders, please be seated. I will hear the Leader of Government Business under 134. The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly West Torrens Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Minister for Energy and Mining The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Standing order 97: that question involves debate and accusations that aren't substantiated. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: I am listening carefully. I am going to give the member for Flinders the opportunity to rephrase, but I do emphasise two matters: first, the matters raised by the Leader of Government Business in relation to opinion and argument and, second, the restriction that exists in standing orders in relation to ministers being responsible for the house for matters of public affairs that relate to their portfolio areas. Mr TELFER House of Assembly Flinders Mr TELFER: Thank you, sir. Is the local government minister aware of any acts of harassment or intimidation by ministerial staff members of his office to local government candidates? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will give an explanation. Leave granted. Mr TELFER House of Assembly Flinders Mr TELFER: On Wednesday 21 September, Minister Brock's adviser messaged the council election candidate expressing his disappointment at how a candidate was choosing to preference candidates. On the following day, Thursday 22 September, at 3.45 he sent another message saying, quote, 'Any chance you'll change your mind?' Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The minister has the call. The Hon. G.G. BROCK House of Assembly Stuart Minister for Local Government Minister for Regional Roads Minister for Veterans Affairs The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Stuart—Minister for Local Government, Minister for Regional Roads, Minister for Veterans Affairs) (15:08): These accusations or these comments are, in my view, very damning. I have indicated before that if the member—anyone in this house—has evidence of anything at all, two things: specifically, if it's my staff bring it to my attention with the proof and I will act on it— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The minister has the call. The Hon. G.G. BROCK House of Assembly Stuart Minister for Local Government Minister for Regional Roads Minister for Veterans Affairs The Hon. G.G. BROCK: —and I will investigate the issue. Again, in this council election, I must admit there are a lot of, in my view, underhanded discussions by some members of this house themselves and local members, so I have— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. G.G. BROCK House of Assembly Stuart Minister for Local Government Minister for Regional Roads Minister for Veterans Affairs The Hon. G.G. BROCK: I have said to you before, Mr Speaker: if the member has any proof of the accusations bring it to my attention and then I will investigate it. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner House of Assembly Morialta Deputy Leader of the Opposition The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner: What were you referring to? The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: The member for Morialta is called to order. Order! I see the member for Mawson.