REPLIES TO QUESTIONS

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (14:55): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to asking the minister representing the Premier a question about replies to questions.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Almost three years ago on 13 September 2005 I asked a question of the Premier and indicated in explanation that I had been informed that the DPP had again written to the Premier expressing further concerns about the actions of Rann government advisers and, in particular, the actions of Mr Rann's most senior media person Ms Jill Bottrall. In that explanation I indicated that morning radio announcers Mr Bevan and Mr Abraham on ABC had referred to confidential correspondence from Mr Pallaras dated 14 June 2005 in relation to his remuneration level, and again on 24 August referred to confidential information in relation to an overseas trip by the Director of Public Prosecutions, which had been signed off by the then head of the justice department, Mr Mark Johns, and other confidential detail in relation to that particular trip.

The question I asked, amongst others, was whether the DPP, Mr Pallaras, had written to the Premier or any other Rann government minister, and I again expressed concern about the actions of some Rann government advisers, particularly Mr Rann's senior adviser Ms Jill Bottrall. I asked about the nature of the concern expressed by Mr Pallaras and what action, if any, Mr Rann had taken, and so on, and a number of other questions. That was almost three years ago, and on at least two occasions members of the media have inquired of the Premier's office as to when the Premier would be providing an answer to that question. A spokesperson for the Premier indicated that a reply had been prepared and an answer was on the way. Almost three years later I am still waiting for an answer to that question from the Premier.

Similarly, almost 12 months ago on 20 June 2007 I asked a question in this place about the resignation for what was stated publicly to be personal reasons of the former ombudsman. I asked:

Was the Attorney-General or any other Rann government minister or any of their advisers advised recently of concerns relating to the behaviour of the former ombudsman? If so, what action was taken in relation to any such concerns and, in particular, were any questions initiated into any such concerns?

Again on a serious issue, almost 12 months later there has been no response from the Premier. My questions to the Premier are as follows:

1. Given that a spokesperson for the Premier has told the media that a response has been prepared to the questions I asked almost three years ago about Mr Pallaras, will the Premier now provide an answer to that question first asked in this place in September 2005?

2. Will the Premier or the Attorney-General now provide an answer to the question on the former ombudsman that was first asked in this place on 20 June last year?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (14:58): I will refer the honourable member's question to the Premier and bring back a reply.