BURNSIDE COUNCIL

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:55): In the minister's answer, she advised the council that she had not had discussions with the investigator as to the process in the natural justice period. Can she advise whether any officers of her department have had discussions with the investigator about the natural justice process?

The PRESIDENT: That could have been quite easily asked without the explanation.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:55): Not that I am aware of. I have made it quite clear that the investigation is in the hands of Ken MacPherson, who is highly credentialled and has a great deal of experience. We know that the opposition are undertaking a witch-hunt in relation to him because of some of the adverse findings he has made against them. We know that they are on a witch-hunt after this gentleman who, as I said, is highly credentialled, has a great deal of expertise and is held in extremely high regard in the community—except, of course, by members opposite. They are the only ones who try to discredit the work and efforts of this quite extraordinary man.

As I have said, I do not receive reports. My ministerial staff do not receive reports, to the best of my knowledge. That is my answer. My ministerial office is at arm's length to the investigation. I receive progress reports from time to time in terms of where the thing is at. For instance, I was able to announce recently that the investigator was about to commence, or had commenced, preparations for the natural justice stage of the process. That came from the agency to my office, so clearly there is some exchange there at, I would imagine, a very basic level.

The investigator does not report to anybody else except me, the minister. Those general progress reports come through the agency to my ministerial office from time to time outlining, as I said, in the most general terms, the progress of the inquiry. The last progress report I received from the agency was that the investigator had commenced preparations for the natural justice part of the process.

Honourable members opposite just need to get over it. Mr Ken MacPherson is doing a tremendous job in relation to this investigation. He has worked hard and with commitment to unravel the complaints. The community response to this has been significant and far greater than we had originally anticipated, which is why the thing has been extended further. This man has put in the most incredible number of hours and dedication to ensure that South Australians can remain confident that our local government sector is of the highest integrity possible. That is what Mr Ken MacPherson is doing: he is making sure that those complaints are investigated thoroughly, with a high degree of rigour, to ensure that due justice is done for all parties involved.

He will provide me, and therefore South Australia, with a report containing information of the highest integrity that we can use in a way to ensure that our local government sector remains a sector of the highest integrity possible. Honourable members opposite should be expressing their gratitude, not undertaking this wild witch-hunt to bring this man down because of some old vendetta they have. They have been trying to get back at him for years and years. The opposition need to get over it and move on.