 |
Legislative
Council |
|
 |
||
| Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
Parliament Index |
|
|
Legislative
Council |
|
|
||
| Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
Parliament Index |
|
The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Treasurer, representing the Premier, a question about the Premier's use of government information for party political purposes.
Leave granted.
The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: My question relates to the Premier's apparent use of WorkCover database information and public resources for party political purposes. I have been contacted by a constituent who, in August this year, received a letter that was sent to employers who had been involved with WorkCover. The letter explained that the state government's Workcover levy rebate policy had provided $25 million to about 50 000 South Australian employers since July 2000. It also pointed out that further rebates will provide bigger savings to business in the future. Further, the letter argued that, at a time when New South Wales and Victoria are facing funding shortages and premium increases, the South Australian state government has saved WorkCover. That is the general thrust of the letter, but it went on.
Interestingly, this letter was sent out on the Premier's letterhead and was signed by the Premier and the Minister for Government Enterprises. My constituent's concerns in approaching me were not about whether or not savings were being made, as claimed in the document, but rather that, in his view, the letter was entirely political in nature. In the circumstances, my constituent wanted to know how it was that the Premier came to have his address and who paid for the mail-out. I remind the Treasurer that this question is not about the particular contents of the letter but about the political nature of the contents. My questions to the Treasurer are:
1. What was the cost of producing and posting these letters?
2. Who paid for these letters to be produced and sent?
3. Who provided to the Premier the addresses of employers who had been involved with WorkCover?
4. How does the Premier of the state justify using the confidential data of government agencies for party political propaganda?
The Hon. K.T. GRIFFIN (Attorney-General): On behalf of the Treasurer, I will refer the questions, and I am sure he will bring back replies.
