Matter of Privilege

Matter of Privilege

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:00): Sir, I rise on a matter of privilege. On 28 November (yesterday), in a grievance debate to the house the member for Dunstan made a contribution regarding the urgency and need for a South Australian trade office in the European Union. The member for Dunstan made this assertion to the house as fact yesterday, and I quote:

What also seems to have escaped the trade minister's attention is the fact that the EU is the third largest economy in the world, accounting for one-sixth of global trade. As I speak, South Australia still does not have a trade office anywhere within the EU borders. Brexit was completed on 31 January 2020.

On 9 May 2023, a press release was published stating the government's intention to open an office in the EU located in Frankfurt, Germany. On 15 June 2023, the Treasurer tabled the budget papers outlining the government's funding of the Frankfurt office in the Budget Measures Statement, page 70, including the funding profile for this financial year.

On 5 July of 2023, the Minister for Trade announced to the estimates committee of this house the government's funding of two new trade offices in Frankfurt, Germany, and Washington DC in the United States and took questions from opposition members regarding the opening of those two offices. On 16 October 2023, a press release was issued announcing the appointment of Pallavi Mishra to lead the new office in Frankfurt. South Australia's trade office—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: She.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: South Australia's trade office was open when the member for Dunstan made his contribution to the parliament yesterday. Frankfurt is in Germany and Germany is in the EU. South Australia has an open, active trade office in the EU and Ms Mishra is an experienced in-market trade and investment manager. For the benefit of the house, government press releases that I have referenced are published on the Premier's website at www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases, a web address I assume the former Premier would have been aware of.

Given the government's majority and our ability to establish a privileges committee at any time, given the bona fides of the motion, we, however, believe it is important for some independent adjudication. I believe the member has deliberately and intentionally misled the House of Assembly and that a prima facie case exists for the establishment of a privileges committee. I ask that you give consideration to my matter of privilege and rule if a motion to establish a privileges committee should be given precedence over other business of the House of Assembly, unless, of course, the former Premier decides to turn up and correct the record.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I have the matter of privilege raised by the member for West Torrens. I will take in the matter and give it consideration. If there are materials the member for West Torrens would wish to furnish to me, I will receive them. Equally, if there are matters or materials that the member for Dunstan would wish to raise with me or provide to me, I will take those in and return to the house.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!