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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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Legislative
Council |
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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 a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Transport, representing the Premier, a question about the rail reform transition program.
Leave granted.
The Hon. SANDRA KANCK: On Tuesday 9 November I asked a series of questions regarding grants from the federally funded rail reform transition program to companies in which the member for Flinders, Liz Penfold, has an interest. In response to my questions, the member for Flinders made statements in the House of Assembly and in the Port Lincoln Times that cast a shadow on the probity of the grants process. The member for Flinders informed the parliament that her husband was not merely a director of Eyre Enterprises and Southern Australian Seafoods but the companies' accountant. She states that, being aware of the vulnerability of members with business interests, she informed the chairman of the Grants Assessment Committee, the member for Bragg, Graham Ingerson-
The Hon. A.J. REDFORD: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. My understanding of the standing orders is that, if one wants to reflect on a member of parliament or, indeed, a judge, one must do so by substantive motion. The approach of this question is clearly a reflection on the member for Flinders. I would ask you to rule that this is out of order and that, if the member has something to raise, she ought to do it by way of substantive motion.
The PRESIDENT: Standing order 193 does support the words spoken by the Hon. Mr Redford that members should not reflect on judges or other members without a substantive motion. I must say that I did not hear all that the honourable member had to say but, on advice, the honourable member should desist from that course if she is criticising the member.
Members interjecting:
The PRESIDENT: Order! I ask the honourable member to rephrase her explanation so that she does not reflect on a judge or other members of parliament.
Members interjecting:
The PRESIDENT: Order!
The Hon. SANDRA KANCK: Mrs Penfold stated that, being aware of the vulnerability of members with business interests, she informed the chairman of the Grants Assessment Committee, the member for Bragg, Graham Ingerson, as soon as she became aware that Southern Australian Seafoods was making an application. While Mrs Penfold might have informally advised Mr Ingerson, my office has been informed that, in respect of Southern Australian Seafoods' application, the other members of the committee were not informed of the fact that the member for Flinders had an interest in the company.
In respect of Eyre Enterprises, the member for Flinders claims in the Port Lincoln Times that neither she nor her husband were involved in the application for rail reform grants. By contrast, in parliament Mrs Penfold stated that her husband, as the accountant of both firms, would be `derelict in his duty to shareholders if he did not encourage applications for grant funding in what are both emerging industries', which implies that her husband was involved in the application process. My questions are:
1. Will the Premier ascertain from the member for Bragg his recollection of Mrs Penfold's disclosure of her interest in Southern Australian Seafoods and provide those details to the parliament?
2. Does the Premier believe that the member for Bragg should have informed the members of the committee hearing Southern Australian Seafoods' grant application of his knowledge concerning the member for Flinders' interest in the company?
3. Will the Premier seek and release for public scrutiny the applications for rail reform grants by Southern Australian Seafoods and Eyre Enterprises?
4. Will the Premier seek and release for public scrutiny the minutes from the committee meetings considering the grant applications by Southern Australian Seafoods and Eyre Enterprises?
5. Does the premier believe that the process of disbursement of taxpayers' money should be transparent and fully accountable?
The Hon. DIANA LAIDLAW (Minister for Transport and Urban Planning): I will refer the honourable member's questions to the Premier and bring back a reply.
