MINISTERIAL STAFF

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:18): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Premier a question on the subject of ministerial staffers.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: On Wednesday 24 April, there were media reports that the federal government had increased termination payments for ministerial staffers. I note from the media reports that it appears that those new provisions are still less than the existing provisions in ministerial contracts here in South Australia.

I have been advised that long-term staffer and former chief of staff to Michael O'Brien, Mr Peter Hoppo, has had his contract terminated in the last few weeks, and there has been much speculation in Public Service circles about the circumstances surrounding that particular termination. I am further advised that Mr Hoppo has a substantive position in the Public Service to which he was entitled to return. The obvious question for the taxpayers is whether he was paid any termination payment upon his termination. My questions to the minister are:

1. Have any pay increases been paid to ministerial staffers since 1 January this year and, if so, what were they?

2. Has the government made any decision this year to alter the termination provisions of contracts of ministerial staffers and, if so, what changes were made?

3. Were any complaints made to minister O'Brien, or his office, about the behaviour or actions of Mr Hoppo by other members of the minister's staff?

4. Under what specific clause of Mr Hoppo's contract was he terminated, and can the Premier provide a copy of the details of that particular clause of the ministerial contract, and what was the level of any termination payment?

5. Did Mr Hoppo have a substantive position in the Public Service to which he was entitled to return and, if so, what was that entitlement?

6. Has Mr Hoppo been recently re-employed in minister Tony Piccolo's office?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:20): I will refer those questions to the relevant minister in another place and bring back a response.