House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-11-27 Daily Xml

Contents

McGowan, Dr C.

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:50): My question is to the Premier. How do you explain Dr McGowan attending a personal fundraiser for your campaign and being appointed as the second highest-paid chief executive of any government department within weeks of you forming government?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:50): I think the member is referring to a fundraiser that occurred in 2013. There are some years that passed by. I have already made it very clear that I don't even recall Dr McGowan attending a function at the Robin Hood, so it was hardly uppermost in my mind when Dr McGowan was appointed to this very important role.

Further to that, unlike procedures and practices that may exist in other jurisdictions or in other times within South Australia, we set up an independent advisory body to advertise and to recruit for this very important position. They provided advice to me as the Premier of South Australia, and I followed that advice.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The members for Mawson and West Torrens are on two warnings. The member for Mount Gambier, then the member for Narungga, and then we will come back to the member for Kaurna.