Question Time

Adelaide City Council Elections

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:28): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Leader of the Government regarding the Adelaide City Council elections.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: In the aftermath of the 2022 Adelaide City Council election, the District Court determined that Councillor Mr Jing Li was elected through illegal practices involving ballot harvesting. Mr Li was at the time an immediate prior member of the Labor Party and held a senior role within the Department of State Development.

Freedom of information documents sighted by the opposition have shown Mr Li maintained close relationships with senior figures in the Labor government—including Rik Morris, now the Chief Executive of the Premier's Delivery Unit—and engaged with multiple cabinet ministers during his campaign. My question to the Leader of the Government is: in light of the serious findings surrounding former Labor-aligned councillor Jing Li's election and his close ties to senior members of the Labor Party, will his government call for a full, transparent and independent investigation into this matter?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (14:29): I thank the honourable member for her question. Noting that this matter is still before the court for a determination and resolution after the findings, I won't comment very specifically—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: —but I can say I don't recall ever having met the person in question.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Hunter, are you okay?