Legislative Council Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2) 54 2 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Question Time Member for Narungga Member for Narungga The Hon. K.J. MAHER Legislative Council Leader of the Opposition Member for Narungga The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:19): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Treasurer regarding leadership. Leave granted. The Hon. K.J. MAHER Legislative Council The Hon. K.J. MAHER: On 8 September 2020, in relation to the— Members interjecting: The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. K.J. MAHER Legislative Council The Hon. K.J. MAHER: On 8 September 2020, sir, in relation to your future in the Liberal Party, the ABC reported: Treasurer Rob Lucas said the decision to run against his own party's candidate would make Mr Dawkins' position untenable. Yesterday, in another place, the Premier was asked about the future of the member for Narungga, Fraser Ellis, as the Liberal candidate. The Premier responded that generally the Hon. Rob Lucas represents the parliamentary party and the Premier on the Liberal executive. My questions to the Treasurer are: 1.	Given the Treasurer publicly expressed views about the membership of the Hon. John Dawkins before the matter was decided by his own party's executive, will the Treasurer now share his views on whether the member for Narungga, Fraser Ellis, should be a member of the Liberal Party or the Liberal Party room or a candidate? 2.	Given the Treasurer described a Liberal MP's position in the party as untenable for exercising a democratic right to nominate for office, how does he describe the position of the member for Narungga, who is facing charges linked to misuse of public funds in his role as an MP? 3.	How will the Treasurer be voting on behalf of the parliamentary Liberal Party and Premier on the state executive in relation to the member for Narungga as a Liberal Party member and a Liberal Party candidate? The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Before calling the Treasurer, I think it is worthwhile observing that the Treasurer is obviously able to comment in this chamber on his actions as the Treasurer, as a member of the government's leadership team. When it comes to matters pertaining to the state executive of the Liberal Party, that doesn't come into the gambit of this chamber. I call the Treasurer. The Hon. R.I. LUCAS Legislative Council The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:21): Mr President, I think you have very adequately summarised the position. I don't propose to indicate what I might or might not do should I be fortunate enough to be the representative at the state executive meeting in the near future. Members interjecting: The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: It was difficult for me to hear what the Treasurer said. The Hon. K.J. Maher Legislative Council The Hon. K.J. Maher: He wanted you out of the party, sir. The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Order! The deputy leader has the call.