Auditor-General's Report

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Leader of the Opposition) (14:07): My question is again to the Premier. Is the Premier aware of the Auditor-General's comments relating to government infrastructure projects and transactions and, if so, does he agree with them? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: In the Auditor-General's 2023 annual report, he states:

…I am unable to form an opinion on the extent to which transactions associated with [those approvals] were undertaken properly and in accordance with the law.

Those approvals include:

over $20 billion worth of public spend and include the new Women's and Children's Hospital;

the north-south corridor Torrens to Darlington project;

the transfer of land at Festival Plaza;

the Adelaide Aquatic Centre replacement; and

the Hydrogen Jobs Plan, amongst others.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Treasurer) (14:08): Well, in short, yes, we are familiar with those comments from the Auditor-General, and the Auditor-General makes those comments in the broader context of his wanting access to all of the detail of cabinet submissions that sits behind the government's decisions to authorise expenditures on those projects. Of course, there is a difference of opinion about whether the Auditor-General for audit opinion purposes needs evidence of the decision being taken—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —and authorising the appropriation and expenditure on those projects and, of course, whether the Auditor-General is wanting to make himself familiar with other much broader detail in respect of those projects.