House of Assembly Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1) 55 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Ministerial Staff Expenses Ministerial Staff Expenses Mr COWDREY House of Assembly Colton Ministerial Staff Expenses Mr COWDREY (Colton) (14:43): Supplementary, sir: can the minister outline the exact nature of these out-of-hours trips, including their work purpose? If not, why were they approved? The Hon. N.F. COOK House of Assembly Hurtle Vale Minister for Human Services Ministerial Staff Expenses The Hon. N.F. COOK (Hurtle Vale—Minister for Human Services) (14:43): Thank you very much for the question. All reimbursements were approved under the previous Liberal government. There were no questions asked. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Colton, you have asked the question and the minister is attempting to answer. The Hon. N.F. COOK House of Assembly Hurtle Vale Minister for Human Services The Hon. N.F. COOK: I am not sure where you are going with this, but if you have an allegation you should make it. All of the— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: The member for Florey is warned. The member for Unley is warned. The minister has the call. Members interjecting: The Hon. N.F. COOK House of Assembly Hurtle Vale Minister for Human Services The Hon. N.F. COOK: Beg your pardon? Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is warned for a final time. The minister has the call. The Hon. N.F. COOK House of Assembly Hurtle Vale Minister for Human Services The Hon. N.F. COOK: Actually they are signed off under a number of mechanisms—but anyway, irrespective, as to all reimbursements that have occurred, my understanding is absolutely they are work-related expenses in terms of travel. Many events, as all members would know, go late into the night quite often. In fact, I believe I will be at one very, very late tomorrow night for the Community Service Awards. Any members who have attended those know that they go very late at night. But, as I understand, all expenses have been signed off under the previous Liberal government as work related. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: There are two members on the opposition side seeking the call. I give the call to the member for Colton.