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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-10-19 Daily Xml
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Sporting and Infrastructure Grants

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Leader of the Opposition) (14:10): My question is again to the Premier. Did the Premier refuse to release documents relating to sporting and infrastructure grants that were requested by the Auditor-General? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: The Auditor-General's report stated, and I quote:

I requested the SA government submissions for approval of these two programs which were prepared by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. They had not been provided to me at the time of this report.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier has the call.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:10): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question because it is an important one. I am happy to confirm to the house that on this side of the house we are implementing the same policy that was applied by those on the other side of the house, consistent with a Premier's circular.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier has the call.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: The Premier's circular that was established under the former government makes it clear that requests for cabinet documents must be requested through to the Premier's office. I am happy to confirm that on this side of the house we take very seriously our obligations—indeed, our solemn commitment—towards cabinet confidentiality. Cabinet confidentiality is an established principle that has existed for hundreds of years. It's a principle that actually underpins—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Hartley!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: Cabinet solidarity underpins all the deliberations that are taken within cabinet.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Chaffey! The Premier has the call.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: In fact, the established principle of cabinet solidarity is one that has existed throughout the entirety of the Westminster system to ensure that the deliberations that occur within cabinet are done in such a way that allows for a full dissection—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —and a full air of frank opinions amongst the senior executive arm of government. So, on that basis, given our commitment, we indeed ensure that cabinet confidentiality is maintained, and that pertains in relation to all cabinet documents.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

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