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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-03-24 Daily Xml
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SOUTH AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY CLUB

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen) (15:06): My question is to the Treasurer. When did he first become aware of allegations relating to corporate governance at the SAJC? Who informed him, and what action did he take regarding the allegations?

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Federal/State Relations) (15:06): I think I can say that the first time I read about it was in The Advertiser or the Sunday Mail, when there was a leaked copy of the report. I find this very interesting, this conflict of interest issue that has been raised here today. Are members opposite suggesting that Alexander Downer, who is the deputy chair of—

The Hon. M.D. Rann: Carnegie Mellon.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: —Carnegie Mellon. Is that a paid position?

The Hon. M.D. Rann: An advisory board.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: An advisory board. It doesn't matter; it is still a government board.

Mrs REDMOND: On a point of order, my question, which was quite straightforward, was answered very promptly by the Deputy Premier. I do not understand the relevance of any further comment.

The SPEAKER: Well, we will see.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: The wife of Mr Alexander Downer is on a number of government boards. Alexander is deputy chair of the state orchestra—a fine orchestra and the best I have ever seen.

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson: The best you have ever heard.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: The best I have ever heard and seen, but I have heard others. Are they suggesting that, because Alexander has those issues, he should not lobby government in his new business of Bespoke? Are you suggesting that? Are you suggesting that Dean Brown, who I think has probably received the most amount of money from this government for work undertaken by a former politician, should no longer lobby us on behalf of other people? Do you suggest that, with John Olsen returning to South Australia, I should not offer him a consultancy to advise the government on how to deal with the United States?

Are you suggesting that Graham Ingerson, who wants to bring people to see me from time to time, has a conflict of interest? Are you suggesting that I should say to Wayne Matthew, who has his own government relations consulting business and who is a member of Progressive Labour, 'No; you can no longer lobby me. You have a conflict of interest because you are a member of Progressive Labour'?

The most hypocritical response and interjection is from the deputy leader, who put together the most complicated, sneaky, tricky Catch Tim arrangement to hide donations from the public during the 1990s. I was in Hong Kong with my then wife (and it may well have been the beginning of the end) when we spent two days lining up to try to get company searches on Catch Tim, and they all went back to one Vickie Chapman.

For goodness sake, we have employed the best people to do the best job, whether they be Labor or Liberal. I have to say that probably a fair number of my colleagues on this side of the bench wonder why we have spent so much money on former Liberals to advise this government as former Labor members. I put my hand on my heart, and I reckon that, without even checking—

Mrs Redmond: It's on the other side.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: My heart moves around!

The Hon. P.F. Conlon: It moves around; it's trying to stay warm!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: This is the budget period, and I often take my heart out and leave it in the top drawer whilst I am putting the budget together. I have got the ticker—and if I have not I take the heart out. I would be confident in saying that former Liberal members of parliament have received greater remuneration from this government than former Labor members of parliament. So, if you really want—

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Sorry?

Mrs Redmond: Of course; they're very talented!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: So, it is okay for Liberals to receive money from the Labor government, but not a Labor Party person. There can be no conflict of interest. I can say this with absolute confidence, because I have been involved in many meetings with former senator Nick Bolkus that have related to matters of commerce. He is highly regarded and highly respected and has added very real value to those people wanting to invest in this state. I can say through experience that major developments in this state have advanced and occurred because of Nick Bolkus's ability to bring commerce together with government.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: What would you know about business?

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Yeah, rightio.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for Unley!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Not only is former Labor senator and minister Nick Bolkus held in high regard by many commercial people, he is also held in the highest regard by no-one other than Alexander Downer and a great Tory conservative, Ian Smith, to form a relationship in that company. Is the member now suggesting Bespoke should be barred from negotiating with or lobbying this government? Is the member saying that?

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Oh, right. So Bespoke, because Alexander and Ian Smith are involved, can lobby this government, but Nick Bolkus cannot. You are a hypocrite—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Treasurer will withdraw. For the information of the member for Schubert, he was named for refusing to comply with a direction of the chair.

Mr Venning: I haven't forgotten.

The SPEAKER: And I haven't forgotten either.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I withdraw, sir, and apologise to the member for using that. But I think that those here and the media understand the point I am making. I think I have made it rather—

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Sorry, what did I call you?

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: The member for Heysen. You very rarely ask me a question, whatever your electorate. I think I have made the point as best I can.

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