Adjourned debate on motion:
 That this Bill be now read a second time.
 To which the Hon. A.J. Redford had moved the following amendmentó
 Leave out all words after `That' and insert `the Bill be withdrawn and referred to the Legislative Review Committee for its report and recommendations.'
 (Continued from 1 July. Page 927.)
 
 The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: The Australian Democrats support this Bill, which aims to increase accountability in government. We seem to be having a bit of that tonightóand it is a good thing, too. This Bill was introduced by the Hon. Michael Atkinson last year following community concern about the use of Government funds to pay for public opinion polls which were then not able to be accessed by the community. The initial concern relates to the use of public funds for opinion polling on the outsourcing of management of South Australia's water utility in 1995. Given that the Liberals were elected in December 1993 on a platform of open and honest government, fully answerable to Parliament and the people, the Liberals' failure to release the opinion polling results at the time was another broken election promise.
 The Government claimed the documents need not be released as they were immune from the Freedom of Information Act. The Act provides a mechanism for the people of South Australia to gain access to public information. It is therefore through an amendment to this law that the Parliament can now hold the Liberals to account by putting beyond doubt the availability of public opinion polls under the Freedom of Information Act.
 As to the amendment moved by the Hon. Angus Redford to refer this Bill to the Legislative Review Committee, I do not believe that it is necessary. The issue is very clear and it is one that is quite capable of being dealt with by this Council without further advice. It appears to me that the issues raised in the Bill are not matters which require detailed investigation by the committee but that any questions raised by the honourable member can be sorted out during debate on this Bill. Ultimately, we must ensure that we respond to the community's desire and right to open and accountable government. This is just one element to ensure this. I hope that this Council is equally supportive of other measures that are being sought to ensure that the people of South Australia have greater confidence in our political system, in our system of governance.
 
 The Hon. G. WEATHERILL secured the adjournment of the debate.