Whyalla Steelworks

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Leader of the Opposition) (14:12): This might be a supplementary, given your interpretation, sir. Since the Premier has given that assurance, has the Premier received any advice on possible buyers for the Whyalla Steelworks and, if so, who are those possible buyers?

The SPEAKER: That is not a supplementary; that is a separate question. The Premier.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:12): I mentioned ABC radio 891—it was there. They said there had been 10. It was publicly articulated yesterday by Mr Sebastian Hams on the radio. The Leader of the Opposition asks, 'Who are they?' For the side of politics that professes expertise in the way the private sector operates—the ignorance. Either you know that so much of this work will be done on a commercial-in-confidence basis between the administrator and the relevant parties or you don't know that that is the case. Either way, you have asked a question knowing the answer, which sort of defeats the purpose of this exercise, or you don't know that in fact that is the case, which demonstrates the complete incapacity of those opposite to be able to occupy the Treasury benches on this side of the house.

Even the most elementary appreciation of how these types of transactions operate in corporate law and in corporate governance in this country would demand a view that that type of question is not being asked in such an important forum on such an important subject as this one.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Members on my left will come to order, and the Premier and the Minister for Transport will come to order as well. The leader has the call, and we will listen to the Leader of the Opposition in silence.