Personal Explanation

MEMBER'S COMMENTS

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (15:32): I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Leave granted.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Yesterday, during matters of interest, the Leader of the Opposition made a series of allegations against me, including that I had misled this chamber. Mr Ridgway's allegations were subsequently repeated in The Advertiser this morning.

In making these claims, the Leader of the Opposition referred to documents which are currently before the Supreme Court, which is in the process of hearing the judicial review on the Gawler Racecourse Development Plan Amendment. The Leader of the Opposition would be well aware that, because the matters he has raised are sub judice, I am not in a position to respond to them. This advice is supported by crown law. The longstanding convention in this house is that issues should not be raised in parliament while they are before the courts.

I can say that I categorically deny that I have misled this chamber and I look forward to rebutting these claims as soon as the court makes its decision. The fact that the Leader of the Opposition has raised these matters in this manner reflects on his integrity, not mine.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!