1 November 2023
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (17:34): What a debate it has been. I had no idea when I proposed this motion that it would set off such a cacophony of criticism from one side of the chamber. I am perplexed because what we are seeing, of course, is the Labor Party opposing this and their Praetorian Guard, the Hon. Connie Bonaros and the Hon. Sarah Game, leaping to the government's defence to try—
The Hon. C. Bonaros interjecting:
The PRESIDENT: Order!
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: —to aid the government with a political problem. I am not trying to play politics with this, but I am a politician. The role of a politician is actually to engage in political work and, quite frankly, if you do not want to engage in political work, do not be a politician.
This motion is responding to the concerns of the community. This is not a debate about what the committee has or has not seen; this is about what the people of South Australia have seen who do not have the benefit of being in the committee room and getting access to whatever information may have been presented to the committee. That is not what this is about. This is about getting information to the people of South Australia so they can form a view so they can form an informed judgement around the proposal.
The motion references some opinion polling that demonstrates there is strong community support for that proposition, particularly in the regions and across supporters of all political parties. The amendments that the opposition are putting forward I think dilute the motion a little way; however, I am happy to live with those amendments and I am happy to support them. I think the additions they have added in terms of improving processes and practices are good.
So I am happy to support this amendment and, of course, advocate supporting the motion overall. There is no reason why, particularly with the opposition's amendment, which notes that redactions may be necessary, that this motion could not pass this chamber, notwithstanding the concerns of some of the members opposite and their supporters on the crossbench.
The PRESIDENT: The first question I am going to put is that paragraph 2 as proposed to be struck out by the Hon. J.S. Lee stand part of the motion.
The council divided on the question:
Ayes 9
Noes 8
Majority 1
AYES
| Bonaros, C. | Bourke, E.S. | El Dannawi, M. |
| Game, S.L. | Hanson, J.E. | Hunter, I.K. |
| Martin, R.B. (teller) | Ngo, T.T. | Scriven, C.M. |
NOES
| Centofanti, N.J. | Franks, T.A. | Girolamo, H.M. |
| Hood, B.R. | Lee, J.S. (teller) | Lensink, J.M.A. |
| Pangallo, F. | Simms, R.A. |
PAIRS
| Wortley, R.P. | Henderson, L.A. | Maher, K.J. |
| Hood, D.G.E. |
Question thus agreed to.
The PRESIDENT: The next question is that new paragraph 3 as proposed to be inserted by the Hon. J.S. Lee be so inserted.
The council divided on the question:
Ayes 8
Noes 9
Majority 1
AYES
| Centofanti, N.J. | Franks, T.A. | Girolamo, H.M. |
| Hood, B.R. | Lee, J.S. (teller) | Lensink, J.M.A. |
| Pangallo, F. | Simms, R.A. |
NOES
| Bonaros, C. | Bourke, E.S. | El Dannawi, M. |
| Game, S.L. | Hanson, J.E. | Hunter, I.K. |
| Martin, R.B. (teller) | Ngo, T.T. | Scriven, C.M. |
PAIRS
| Henderson, L.A. | Wortley, R.P. | Hood, D.G.E. |
| Maher, K.J. |
Question thus resolved in the negative.
The committee divided on the motion:
Ayes 8
Noes 9
Majority 1
AYES
| Centofanti, N.J. | Franks, T.A. | Girolamo, H.M. |
| Hood, B.R. | Lee, J.S. | Lensink, J.M.A. |
| Pangallo, F. | Simms, R.A. (teller) |
NOES
| Bonaros, C. | Bourke, E.S. | El Dannawi, M. |
| Game, S.L. | Hanson, J.E. | Hunter, I.K. |
| Martin, R.B. (teller) | Ngo, T.T. | Scriven, C.M. |
PAIRS
| Wortley, R.P. | Henderson, L.A. | Maher, K.J. |
| Hood, D.G.E. |
Motion thus negatived.