Question Time

BURNSIDE COUNCIL

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:23): As we are all aware, the Supreme Court has put a suppression order over this whole issue, over this report, and it is actually in breach of the suppression order to make an account of what is in the report. I would just like to read out some statements from various members here. The Hon. Ms Bressington, in a question to the minister (me) in question time on 7 July, said:

Given the seriousness of the alleged criminal conduct and corruption found by Mr MacPherson, will the minister refer the draft report to the Anti-Corruption Branch post haste so that those who did engage in corruption and offended against their positions can be held accountable for their conduct?

That is clearly making reference to what she is purporting is in the report. That is in breach of the suppression order. Then, the Hon. Mr Wade on radio on Tuesday 14, said:

There have certainly been reports to me from people who have read the report that there are draft recommendations that suggest criminal charges. It has been suggested to me there are eight people who have suggested criminal charges to be laid against them.

This is clearly in breach of the suppression order, and you want—

The Hon. P. Holloway interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: That is exactly right. This is the man who wants to be Attorney-General, and he has absolutely no regard for the decision of the court. You are supposed to be representing the people of this state. Anyway, we will go on. On 7 July, during question time, the Hon. Mr Ridgway said:

Is it not the case that Mr MacPherson's draft report included a range of draft findings, including that charges be laid against a number of persons, and that those draft findings have not been considered and rejected by the Anti-Corruption Branch?

This is another clear breach of the suppression order. All I can say to everyone in this chamber is: let us respect the decision of the court; there is a suppression order. Like myself, honour those suppression orders.