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| Sandra Kanck Deputy Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
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Legislative
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| Sandra Kanck Deputy Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
Parliament Index |
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MEMBER FOR FLINDERS
The Hon. SANDRA KANCK: I seek leave to make an explanation before asking the Attorney- General, representing the Premier, a question regarding the rail reform transition program.
Leave granted.
The Hon. SANDRA KANCK: During 1997 the federal government, with the support of the South Australian government, privatised Australian National Railways. The privatisation of AN resulted in heavy job losses in South Australia and Tasmania. In an attempt to ameliorate the impact of those job losses, the federal government instituted the rail reform transition program. The program was designed to provide financial assistance for job creation in regions affected by the sale of AN. To that end, $20 million was placed in the program and committees were established to advise the federal government of potential recipients of the grants. The South Australian committee was chaired by the member for Bragg, the Hon. Graham Ingerson, and comprised the federal member for Adelaide, the Hon. Trish Worth; the federal member for Grey, the Hon. Barry Wakelin; Mr Grant Anderson of the Regional Development Branch, Department of Transport and Regional Services; Mr Don Swincer, Executive Director of the Business Centre, Department of Industry and Trade; Ms Joy Baluch, Mayor of Port Augusta; Mr Nick Begakis of the South Australian Employers Chamber; and Mr Daryl Dixon of the United Trades and Labor Council.
Amongst other things, that committee recommended that the rail reform fund program grant funds to Eyre Enterprises Pty Ltd and Southern Australian Seafoods. In the register of members' interests for 1999, the member for Flinders, Liz Penfold, lists under `investments' Eyre Enterprises Pty Ltd and Southern Australian Seafoods. The two companies, of which her husband is also listed as a director, received a total of $535 000 in grants from the rail reform transition program. My questions are:
1. Does the Premier require a member of his government who stands to benefit from taxpayers' moneys to make a full disclosure of all interests to the authorising body dispensing the moneys; and, if not, why not?
2. Was the South Australian advisory committee to the rail reform transition program informed of the member for Flinders' interests in Southern Australian Seafoods and Eyre Enterprises?
3. Does the Premier require that his office be informed of any potential conflict of interest involving members of his government; and, if not, why not?
The Hon. K.T. GRIFFIN (Attorney-General): I will take the question on notice and bring back a reply.
In reply to Hon. SANDRA KANCK
1. The parliament requires MPs to declare their interests.
2. Southern Australian Seafoods Pty Ltd and Eyre Enterprises Pty Ltd are listed by the member for Flinders on the Parliamentary Register of Interests. The Rail Reform Transition Program State Advisory Committee was advised that the member for Flinders had an interest in Southern Australian Seafoods Pty Ltd. I am informed that the committee was not advised of the member's interest in Eyre Enterprises Pty Ltd, as this application was considered without the member's prior knowledge.
3. The parliament requires MPs to declare their interests.
See Sandra Kanck's follow-up question: 11 November 1999
