Legal Proceedings Costs

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (15:13): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to directing a question to the Attorney-General regarding public spending on legal proceedings.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Last sitting week in the other place, the Premier took a question on notice stating that he would refer it to the Attorney-General, that being, and I quote:

How much public money, if any, has been paid towards the legal proceedings brought against the Premier by Annabel and Greg Digance, and what, if any, cost estimates has the government been provided with?

My question to the Attorney-General is the same: will the Attorney-General advise how much public funding, if any, has been paid towards legal proceedings brought against the Premier by Annabel and Greg Digance and, potentially, what other cost estimates has the government been provided with?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:14): I thank the honourable member for her questions. In relation to details in relation to civil proceedings before the court, the honourable member will understand that I can't comment specifically on matters before the court. What I can say is that it is not an unusual thing for the state government to fund legal costs for public officials acting in a public capacity, including members of parliament, in a range of circumstances. That happens for members on all sides of the political spectrum regardless of who is in government. I don't have figures in relation to any particular matter and I am not sure it would be appropriate to do so, but I am happy to consider what the honourable member has asked and see if there is anything I can say.