Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-06-23 Daily Xml

Contents

Ministerial Statement

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN AQUATIC AND LEISURE CENTRE

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (17:33): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: I refer to a question without notice today from the Hon. Tammy Jennings regarding the new State Aquatic Centre at Marion. As I suggested in my previous answer, while there is a strong temptation to use question time to elicit some cheap publicity, it is also incumbent on members to conduct at least some research before asking questions based on unsubstantiated rumour and innuendo. The people of South Australia expect higher standards of their members of parliament than simply using the cloak of privilege to peddle slurs and rumours.

I am informed that the media unit of the Office of the Premier was involved in planning a site visit to inspect the progress of construction at the new state aquatic centre. That visit did not involve the attendance of the Premier but rather the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. I am reliably informed that this proposed visit has been postponed but this was not due to the Premier's absence overseas. As I said, he was not planning to attend.

In fact, my office contacted Candetti Constructions during question time and was assured that the accusations made by the honourable member were 'rubbish'. At no time was there any discussion between the Office of the Premier's media unit and Candetti Constructions to erect walls to accommodate a media opportunity. No walls were erected and no walls were subsequently removed.

As the honourable member is new to this place, I trust that this will be a valuable learning experience. I advise her that in future she take time to research her questions and ensure they are based on fact rather than gossip before coming into this place to try to traduce reputations and score cheap political points.