Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
[11.00 a.m.]
The transparencies shown by two of your ministers about the taxpayer funds they’ve used for their legal fees has been a pleasant surprise. Ministers Howlett and Ogilvie knew that sharing that information would be uncomfortable but they did it anyway, and it’s welcome. Meanwhile, information about former minister Mr Ferguson’s legal costs, which were reasonable, has been released under RTI. The government has also provided a combined figure for legal costs for backbenchers. It’s a clearly established precedent that the public has a right to know this information. Noting previous debates in this place about the conduct of Mark Shelton MP, since 1 January 2023, has any taxpayer funding been provided to Mark Shelton MP for legal costs? If so, how much?
The SPEAKER – Dr Woodruff, I remind all members that on page 33 of the Members Guide to Procedure it says that when you are referring to members in this House, you refer to them as ‘the honourable member for’ electorate name – in this case, the honourable member for Lyons, Mr Shelton. I want all members to read the book and refer to each other in correct terms or by their correct titles.
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the honourable member for the question. As members know, public officers, including ministers and members of government, are entitled to indemnity or legal assistance for proceedings that arise out of doing their job. The policy guidelines governing the granting of indemnities and legal assistance is publicly available. The guidelines note that legal indemnity against legal process was issued in 2008 under the previous Labor government. Legal indemnity has been continued by our government, and policies are also in place in other states. The policy and guidelines clearly state that indemnity and legal assistance can be considered against legal processes brought under several circumstances. They include civil proceedings, criminal proceedings, inquiries or investigations, including integrity bodies, coronial inquiries, anti-discrimination matters and any other body with inquisitorial powers.
I’ll take advice and take the question on notice.
Supplementary Question
Dr WOODRUFF – Thank you for saying you’ll take that on notice. Just to be quite clear, it’s from 1 January 2023. How much money has been paid?
Mr ROCKLIFF – Thank you.
