BURNSIDE COUNCIL

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:38): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations a question relating to the Burnside council.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: Yesterday in answer to a question on Burnside council, the minister advised this council that Mr John Hanlon had no role in constructing the terms of reference of the Burnside investigation and no part in the investigation conducted by Mr Ken MacPherson. Mr Hanlon was a former chief executive of the Burnside council and is currently an officer in the Office for State/Local Government Relations. My questions are:

1. What role did John Hanlon have in relation to the Burnside council investigation?

The Hon. G.E. Gago interjecting:

The Hon. S.G. WADE: I would encourage the minister to be careful in her answers.

2. Specifically, did he advise the minister or her predecessor on the need for an investigation into the Burnside council?

3. Specifically, did he undertake interviews with parties to the conflict, and at which stage of the process did those interviews occur?

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) (14:39): I have made my position very clear in respect of discussing further matters relating to Burnside council. I have made it very clear that I have received advice that it would be most improper of me to be discussing matters that are before a court, matters that may be part of those court proceedings or matters that might relate to those court proceedings. I have already made that very clear.

Questions were asked about Mr John Hanlon's participation in the Ken MacPherson investigation. I made the point that as an exception I would clarify that he did not have any role in that investigation. I have cleared the record and made a very clear statement about that, and I do not intend to make any other statements whatsoever in relation to matters that may relate to court proceedings currently being conducted.