House of Assembly Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1) 55 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Sporting and Infrastructure Grants Sporting and Infrastructure Grants Mr TARZIA House of Assembly Hartley Sporting and Infrastructure Grants Mr TARZIA (Hartley) (14:34): My question is again to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. Did the minister at any point recuse herself from cabinet deliberations or decisions in relation to any local sporting club and infrastructure grant? With the leave of the house, I will explain. Leave granted. Mr TARZIA House of Assembly Hartley Mr TARZIA: On 31 May, two days before the state budget, the minister confirmed in writing that she had 12 potential or perceived conflicts of interest. Section 3.5 of the Ministerial Code of Conduct states, and I quote: A Minister must not participate in any deliberations on a matter in respect of which a conflict of interest has validly been disclosed by that Minister and must withdraw from the Cabinet room during those deliberations. The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS House of Assembly Croydon Premier The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:35): As the Chair of cabinet, I am more than happy to answer the question because, as the Chair of cabinet, it is— Mr Tarzia House of Assembly Hartley Mr Tarzia: Why don't you let the minister speak? The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Hartley is warned. The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS House of Assembly Croydon Premier The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: As the Chair of cabinet, it is my responsibility to make clear— Mr Tarzia interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Member for Hartley, you will cease your interjections. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Hartley, you are warned for a final time. The Premier has the call. Mr Brown interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Member for Florey, you are warned for a second time. The Premier has the call. The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS House of Assembly Croydon Premier The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: I thank the honourable member for his question. As the Chair of cabinet, it's my responsibility to make sure that members of the cabinet fulfil their responsibilities and make clear my expectations. In respect of the honourable member's specific question, presumably through freedom of information I think the minister has ascertained information that publicly demonstrates very clearly that the minister understands her responsibilities and is fulfilling them accordingly, which is something we have been making clear. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Member for Unley! The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS House of Assembly Croydon Premier The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: In respect of the cabinet process, as the member for Hartley well understands, having been a former member of cabinet, there is cabinet confidentiality. Just as my obligations are important as the Chair of cabinet— Mr Tarzia interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Member for Hartley! The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS House of Assembly Croydon Premier The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —to ensure that ministers understand their obligations, it is also my responsibility to make sure that we uphold the essential principle of cabinet confidentiality. What I can say is that the information— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Member for West Torrens! The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS House of Assembly Croydon Premier The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —that the— The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Premier, please be seated. Order! Member for Hartley, I understand you have additional questions. I am reluctant to exercise 137, but you are coming close to giving me no choice. Given that you have further questions, I am going to permit you to ask those questions. The Premier, though, is still on his feet. That is your final warning. The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS House of Assembly Croydon Premier The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: As I was saying, the information that the member for Hartley has presumably obtained through FOI, as is utterly appropriate, demonstrates the diligence that the minister has applied in this regard— Mr Pederick interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: The member for Hammond is warned. The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS House of Assembly Croydon Premier The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —in respect of the cabinet process. As I have made clear, it is our expectation that all processes are followed.