BURNSIDE COUNCIL

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:21): I have a supplementary question arising from the answer. Firstly, you mentioned the President of the Local Government Association and referred to that person as 'she'. Can you name the President of the Local Government Association, given that it is your portfolio? The other question is: what consultation did you have with any residents of Burnside before you made your ridiculous comments?

The PRESIDENT: That is hardly a supplementary. You don't have to answer it if you don't want to.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:21): The President of the Local Government Association is Wendy Campana.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: It is Kim McHugh, Mr President. The Chief Executive Officer is Wendy Campana. It is quite obvious that these people have no concern whatsoever for the residents of Burnside—none whatsoever. If they had, they would support my decision in doing away with the investigation, putting—

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: You are an embarrassment.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: —instructing the Crown Solicitor's Office. They are behaving like the previous Burnside council, and this is why I understand an investigation was launched into it. How on earth can you govern this state with the sort of rabble from the opposition, who at the slightest drop of a mistake jump up and scream and yell?

I have to make serious decisions, and I have made serious decisions. I have made the decision to terminate the inquiry into Burnside. I have also made the decision to instruct the Crown Solicitor's Office to go through all the material and, if there is any evidence of criminality, to refer it to the DPP. This is the appropriate action to take, and there should be a little more support from those opposite if they really care about the residents of Burnside.

The PRESIDENT: Time having expired for question time, I now call on Business of the Day.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: We will wait till they settle down a bit, when the monkeys stop swinging.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! I am sure the Hon. Ms Bressington was referring to the opposition this morning on the radio. Honourable members have five minutes to make comments on matters of interest. The Hon. Mr Gazzola.