House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-04-09 Daily Xml

Contents

LABOR PARTY FUNDRAISING

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop) (14:45): My question is to the Premier. What is the total value of sponsorships, event hostings, or donations to the ALP or its fundraising vehicle, SA Progressive Business Inc., from the Newport Quays consortium, or its principals, since the land deal with the government was agreed to?

The SPEAKER: I rule the question out of order. In Erskine May—I do not have the exact reference—questions asked of a minister seeking information which is otherwise easily publicly available are out of order. The information that the member for MacKillop is asking about—donations to the ALP from this corporation—is available in normal declarations. So, I rule it out of order.

Ms CHAPMAN: I have a point of order, Mr Speaker. Before I move to dissent from your ruling, you indicated that you would provide clarification as to that, because the question was as to the amount of funds and sponsorships, not what had been recorded on the Electoral Commission donations return list. So, when you consider that further, I ask that you provide that information so that I can make the decision on whether to move dissent.

The Hon. K.O. Foley: Before you make a decision!

The SPEAKER: Order! I know the minister is keen to answer the question. It does set a precedent when disorderly questions are allowed. The reference is in Erskine May which, as members would know, is a big book. I do not have the page number, but I am happy to provide it. We will move to the next question. The other point is the extent to which a minister might be responsible for donations to the Labor Party, and how the minister might be responsible to the house for donations to political parties. If the member for MacKillop would like to bring up—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! If the member for MacKillop would like to bring up the question, I will look at it. I call the member for Heysen.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I have a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Sir, I heard the Leader of the Opposition audibly refer to your decision as 'crap'. I ask that he withdraw that. That is highly offensive and it reflects on the Speaker.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I did not hear it. We will just move on. The member for Heysen.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!