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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-09-08 Daily Xml
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POLITICAL DONATIONS

Mr GRIFFITHS (Goyder—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (16:11): My question is for the Premier.

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson: Silent Steve.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr GRIFFITHS: Premier, did you attend the SA Progressive Business function on 10 July 2008, hosted by Abigroup at a cost of $2,000 per head, or any other function with bidders for the $323 million super schools project during the bidding process, and, if so, is this permitted under the probity rules of the bidding process?

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (16:11): I remember the last time we had questions like this. I do not want to see the Deputy Leader of the Opposition's career go so quickly down the gurgler.

Mr PENGILLY: On a point of order, I believe that the Premier has deferred greatly from the question and is, indeed, discussing the future of the deputy leader. Let me assure you that that future is bright. I believe it is relevance.

The SPEAKER: Yes; I draw the Premier back to the substance of the question.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I was just saying that, of course, the last time I got questions 'did you attend', what was it? Applied Scholastics in Melbourne.

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson: Criminon.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: And then of course, Criminon in Melbourne. I cannot believe—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier will take his seat. The member for MacKillop.

Mr WILLIAMS: Sir, you just ruled that the Premier should come back to the substance of the question, and he immediately defied your ruling and went straight back to where he left off.

The SPEAKER: I thank the member for MacKillop for his help. The Premier will answer the substance of the question.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Absolutely! Can I just say this: in terms of hypocrisy the Leader of the Opposition made a declaration about not accepting donations and going to fundraisers, and then went to a $2,000 a head, hosted—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the Premier!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier will take his seat.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr GRIFFITHS: On a point of order, my question was very specific. It was about a function on a specific date. I am asking the Premier for an answer about that. It is a matter of relevance.

The SPEAKER: Yes; the Premier must answer the substance of the question. The Premier.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I tell you what: I will report back. I do go to progressive business functions, and I do think it is important for political parties to go out and raise their own funds, because you know what the alternative is, that applies in other states. In other states they have taxpayer funded political parties—taxpayer funded party political advertisements during an election campaign. If that is what you want, then get up and say so.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: But, you know, the total hypocrisy—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: —of a Liberal Party that comes in here and says, 'Oh, no! We've got different rules. We're not going to go to any fundraisers or accept any donations,' and then the Leader of the Opposition has a $2,000 a plate function. I do not think they were just paying for the salami. Yet, I find this extraordinary, given that the last time you went through this—and if the Deputy Leader of the Opposition wants to be around in this parliament, he has to remember this—allegations were made in this parliament, supported by forgeries released by the Liberal Party, and here you go again!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

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