16 October 2024
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:36): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Attorney-General on the topic of the South Australian Progressive Business event.
Leave granted.
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The Advertiser reported yesterday that the entire state cabinet and federal Labor ministers from South Australia will attend a $500 per head forum hosted by SA Progressive Business. The event includes scheduled policy briefings from the Hon. Mark Butler MP, the Hon. Senator Don Farrell, the Hon. Senator Penny Wong, the Hon. Nick Champion MP and the Hon. Stephen Mullighan MP. According to The Advertiser, the invitation states that each minister and MP will have a set station and guests will be encouraged to circulate throughout the room engaging in dynamic one-on-one discussions. There will also be closed room policy briefings with some ministers.
Over the last 15 years, I understand that SA Progressive Business has donated over $3 million to the South Australian branch of the Labor Party. My questions to the Attorney-General therefore are:
1. Is the Attorney-General attending the SA Progressive Business Cabinet Exchange Forum?
2. What information will he be providing as part of these dynamic one-on-one policy discussions?
3. In the spirit of transparency, will he commit to disclosing any policy information that he provides at this event to the parliament?
4. Will the minister advise where this secret event is being held?
Members interjecting:
The PRESIDENT: Order! Too much chirping.
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:38): I thank the honourable member for continuing the trend and directing a question my way; it is much appreciated. First question: am I attending? Yes, I think from looking at my diary for the rest of this week I am attending on Friday, as I think all cabinet ministers are. I think the next question was: what one-one-one policy briefings am I involved with? I am not aware of what briefings I have yet, but that will be something I will look at if I have any of those booked in. Will I disclose every private meeting I have with anyone to this parliament, including these ones? No, I won't.
Members interjecting:
The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Simms has a supplementary question arising from the answer.
The Hon. H.M. Girolamo interjecting:
The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Girolamo!
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:38): Does the minister accept many South Australians would find it disturbing that their minister is going to be having private conversations on a pay-for-access basis and why won't the minister advise where the event is being held?
The PRESIDENT: The second part of your supplementary question is probably relevant. I'm not sure about the first part.
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:39): In relation to where it is being held, it is somewhere in Adelaide. I don't know. The Festival Centre? Convention Centre? It would be one of the areas that hosts events. I am not sure which hall it is in, but I will be happy to consult my diary late this afternoon and perhaps give the honourable member a call to let him know where I will be on Friday in case he wants to catch up for a chardonnay after work.
Members interjecting:
The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Simms, you have a further supplementary question arising from your original answer?
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:39): Arising from the original answer. In relation to the location of this fundraiser, would the minister provide an update to the parliament on any details he has in his diary in that regard?
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:40): As I said, I will be very happy to consult with and let the honourable member know where I will be at various points on Friday.
Members interjecting:
The PRESIDENT: Order! Interjections are out of—
Members interjecting:
The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Pangallo I believe has a supplementary question arising from the original answer and I am going to move on from this line of questioning. The Hon. Mr Pangallo.
The Hon. F. PANGALLO (14:40): Will attendees be charged for selfies that they may take with ministers?
The PRESIDENT: I am not saying that that's a supplementary question. Attorney, if you choose to answer it, you can, and then we are moving on.
Members interjecting:
The PRESIDENT: Order!
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:40): As much as I wish I was popular enough to do that, I have never, ever contemplated charging anyone for a selfie with me.