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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-10-14 Daily Xml
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PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (15:00): My question is to the Treasurer. Did the government seek any legal advice on using legislation to cut the public sector entitlements immediately after settling enterprise bargaining agreements where the cuts were not mentioned, and is the government concerned that SA Unions are threatening legal action on that basis?

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Federal/State Relations, Minister for Defence Industries) (15:00): I am not at all concerned about threatened legal action. I would expect the union to do what unions should do; that is, to represent their interests. But there is some sort of twilight zone here. I mean, members opposite are clearly aghast at what this government is doing. This government is doing, as the Premier said, what we have to do and what is necessary to minimise the impact on the general public from either tax increases or more severe cuts to frontline services in the broader community. That is why the cabinet took the decision it took and that is why we agreed—

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: It was an absolutely unanimous decision of cabinet. Absolutely.

Mr Goldsworthy: So if you go, they are all going with you?

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Madam Speaker, can I point out that we have a momentous day today.

Mrs Redmond: Yes, the union protest outside.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: No. The member for Bragg has moved her seat, because clearly she can no longer tolerate sitting next to Martin Hamilton-Smith. What an extraordinary—

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Point of order, Madam Chair: the Premier has left because he cannot stand the contender. Jay Weatherill, the next contender, did not even roll up; he cannot stand the contender. Shall we get back to business, Treasurer?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I tell you what, when Iain Evans is defending Vickie—or is it Martin? This is a weird world!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Treasurer will get back to the question.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Have a look. She has moved over to get right away from you, Marty—right away from you. What have you done to her? Look at the red face on him.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! We will get back to the question now.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: We are a disciplined, orderly party, but have a look at the Liberal Party. Have a look at them. They are a rabble.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I cannot hear the Treasurer.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Is he that bad to sit next to, Vickie?

The SPEAKER: Minister, get back to the question, and do not refer to members by name.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Normally Vickie would be interjecting.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Treasurer, we will not engage in conversations across the floor. Back to the question.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Sorry, Madam Speaker. I apologise. I just feel it is my duty to point out great division in the Liberal Party when it is confronting us.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Point of order, Madam Chair, the Treasurer is defying your ruling that he get back to answering the question.

The SPEAKER: I am sure he is now going to answer the question, and keep in mind standing order 123 where you do not refer to members by their name.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I apologise, Madam Speaker, as always.

The SPEAKER: Mean it this time and do it.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: But I can point out, Madam Speaker, as to references to missing ministers—they are actually authorised by your lot as pairs and are at ministerial councils.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Of course we got legal advice.

Mr Pengilly: Sit down then.

The SPEAKER: Member for Finniss, be quiet. We are finally getting to answer the question.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: What, am I causing you some embarrassment over there, am I? All right, I will sit down then. Sorry.

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