Disability Services

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:54): Supplementary arising from the answer where the minister referred to receiving advice about what she can and can't say.

The PRESIDENT: Was that part of the original answer?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: That was the original answer. By way of background—

The PRESIDENT: I believe it was the second answer.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: The original answer talked about not having advice about not speaking about files held by the department.

The PRESIDENT: Exactly.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: In relation to that original answer, how does the minister reconcile not talking about advice that she receives and having her acting chief executive table detailed legal advice at a parliamentary committee?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:54): I'm happy to answer that. The acting CE quite clearly outlined that the advice she tabled was not in relation to a specific individual but was general advice that was provided to government. It is probably downright inconvenient for the Labor Party that that advice is now in the public domain, which is why they are now so upset about it. In relation to individuals and the circumstances where there is a major crime investigation, it would be inappropriate—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Both sides of the chamber, please.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: It would be inappropriate when there are multiple investigations of a legal nature—through major crime, through the coronial inquest and through the independent federal inquiry, which is looking at a range of these matters—for me to be commenting on the details of Ann Marie Smith's case.