House of Assembly Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1) 55 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Question Time Premier's Comments Premier's Comments The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS House of Assembly Black Leader of the Opposition Premier's Comments The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Leader of the Opposition) (14:17): My question is to the Premier. Does the Premier regret the language he used last week, and will he offer a simple and straightforward apology? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain. Leave granted. The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS House of Assembly Black Leader of the Opposition The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: The Premier told the media today that he did not realise the language he used last week was offensive, but rather than offering a simple and straightforward apology with an expression of regret he instead attempted to laugh it off. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: I am not certain that 'laughing it off' is necessarily a fact; that's an opinion, leader. Nevertheless, I am going to permit the question. The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS House of Assembly Croydon Premier The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:17): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question because it provides me an opportunity to say what I have already said publicly. All I can do is answer these questions with the utmost of honesty and explain that I was not on Friday of last week aware of the more widely, more recently publicised meaning of the term that I used. For that, I have expressed regret and I'm more than happy to apologise to the Leader of the Opposition or anyone else who was offended by the remark.