Question Time

Adelaide Convention Centre Gala Dinner

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:20): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Assistant Minister to the Premier regarding multicultural affairs.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: As has been revealed in the chamber this week, a Liberal Party fundraiser was held disguised as a multicultural community event in May. The assistant minister in this place has been asked to show any evidence—any evidence—that people knew when signing up to the event the true nature and purpose of this event. The opposition has now been provided with evidence that the Liberal Party and the assistant minister did not disclose to people before the event that it was linked to the Liberal Party or indeed was raising money for the Liberal Party. I seek leave to table three documents.

The PRESIDENT: What are they?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: The first document is the original invitation to the Liberal Party event. The second is a reminder email and a friendly reminder attachment. The third is the ticket receipt for the event that confirms the payment of $180.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: These three documents show that on information that was provided to attendees before the event, information that was provided confirming the ticket receipt to the event of $180, there is no information whatsoever informing people who might attend that it is a Liberal Party fundraiser. My question to the assistant minister is:

1. Can the assistant minister provide evidence that potential attendees at this event were indeed provided with information about the real destination of their ticket money?

2. If not, why was this hidden?

The PRESIDENT: Before asking the assistant minister to respond, I remind the Leader of the Opposition there was a fair bit of opinion in that explanation. I call the assistant minister.

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:22): I think the opposition members have wasted enough time in this chamber to deal with this same issue over and over again. The answers I provided already support the fact that the Liberal Party knows about it. The Liberal Party booked the Convention Centre, the Liberal Party is the source where payments have been made to, so it's all in accordance with the rules. I have given enough answers as per my previous answers.