Former Legislative Council president John Gazzola yesterday made this extraordinary speech to Parliament, describing his Labor colleague and successor in the job, Russell Wortley, as a “parasite” and calling on him to resign.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: I also rise to support the motion, and thank Lewis O’Brien for his welcome. I also thank the Governor for his speech of 6 May on the opening of the parliament. Having read his speech, I too wish to note the passing of a former governor and seven former members of parliament.
I also note, from the Governor’s speech, that the government will reform the existing WorkCover scheme so that it works effectively for both workers and employers and ‘will also protect and enhance the wellbeing of the most seriously injured at work and will hold a clearer focus on recovery, retraining and return to work for those less seriously injured’. Changes to WorkCover will be subject to scrutiny and debate in this place in the not too distant future.

I also note in the Governor’s speech that:

To govern effectively in a democracy it is vital that people are confident decisions are made for the right reasons.

We must therefore act to ensure that political donations are modest, transparent and offer no guarantee on influence of matters of public policy. My government will act so that any perception of impropriety is not hidden in the shadows and we will deal decisively with those who have sought to benefit personally from corrupt practices. To strengthen our democracy all political parties must act to ensure that their internal processes are transparent and democratic.

I note in a current survey of ALP members:

One of the main points to take out of the 2014 Vision for Australia Survey of Labor supporters is the importance of substantial engagement with supporters on the issues of policy and representation. Supporters frequently highlighted their desire to engage with Labor in terms of policy discussion, and choosing their elected representatives.

I also wish to acknowledge the contribution of former members of this place, the Hon. Ann Bressington, the Hon. Mr Sneath, and the Hon. Carmel Zollo. I wish to congratulate and welcome the Hon. Andrew McLachlan and the Hon. Tung Ngo on their election to this place. I also wish to congratulate the Hon. Mr Maher on his re-election to this place against all predictions that Labor would not hold a fourth spot. The Hon. Mr Maher came to this place because the then president, the Hon. Mr Sneath, retired, creating a casual vacancy. In his first speech in this place, the Hon. Mr Maher said about me, and I quote:

Firstly, I would like to congratulate you, Mr President, on your recent elevation to the role, replacing the Hon. Bob Sneath in the chair; you have big shoes to fill—literally, as I think his are about five sizes bigger than yours. But, having known you for many years, your fairness, good humour, and virtually unlimited patience will see you preside over this chamber with distinction and wisdom per se.

About six months prior to the election a very dejected Hon. Mr Maher had all but given up hope. Now the Hon. Mr Maher is a parliamentary secretary on his way to a ministry. As a member of the left faction, the Hon. Mr Maher will have to be quite creative in how and with whose support he becomes a minister. I reject the Hon. Rob Lucas’ assertion that there has been a major falling out between the honourable member and me. The Hon. Mr Maher, is the future, and a member of new Labor, whereas I am old Labor which valued loyalty and collectivism.

Almost to the date I have been a member of the Legislative Council for just over 12 years. I have served on many parliamentary standing committees, select committees, acted as whip and, in October 2012, honourable members of the Legislative Council appointed me president. So, in just over 12 years, I started on the back bench as a part of a minority Labor government and now again I find myself on the back bench in a minority Labor government.
On 29 April this year, I decided to stand down as the president of the Legislative Council effective close of business 5 May. I did not wish to undermine the stability of the minority Jay Weatherill government. In standing down as president, I acknowledged the pressure that the member for Frome, minister Geoff Brock, was under following the election to form a minority government and I respect his decision to provide stability for South Australia. I also wish to acknowledge the member for Fisher, Dr Bob Such, for his kind words and support and understanding of the situation I was placed in. I, too, wish Dr Such all the best for the future and I look forward to his return to parliament.

I read in the media that to replace me as the president was part of a complex factional deal. I am still awaiting some explanation about why I had to stand down other than the right’s dominant numbers within the party. Neither I, nor members of the left faction have had any explanation or consultation about this alleged complex factional deal. This is of some concern to members of the faction and many members of the ALP as they await to see the details of the deal with the right and how it may impact on MPs careers and possible future pre-selections.

In my situation there was no consultation, no discussion, no negotiation and no ham and pineapple pizza. I did enjoy my short time as the president and standing up for the independence and sovereignty of the Legislative Council. I am certainly humbled by the support from honourable members present and past of all sides of politics, both publicly and privately over the last six weeks.

I wish to seek leave to table a copy of my letter of resignation to the Clerk dated 5 May 2014. Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: In that letter I thank the Clerk and her staff for their support and professionalism in the way that they assist members to maintain the dignity, integrity, protocols and practices of the Legislative Council.

I wish to contrast that against the actions and advice of the Clerk in the other place.

Much will be said over the next 12 months about the 15 March 2014 election. Indeed, there is a motion to form a select committee which will examine the conduct of the election. The opposition will make the claims of being robbed once again and suffering from a dirty tricks campaign.
I especially wish to pay tribute to the Hon. Steph Key, member for Ashford, and her campaign team and volunteers who defied all predictions and the odds on a stunning victory. My local member, the Hon. Paul Caica, member for Colton, ran an impressive and hard-fought campaign and won. Had it not been for these two—to state the obvious—we would not have formed a minority government.

I wish to thank the rank and file ALP members for their support and acknowledge the hard work in securing an election result that has defied all the predictions. I have been a member of the Labour Party for the last 28 years and I am excited to hear of the reform and modernisation of the party. I could not be a part of the reform if I maintained the president’s position in the Legislative Council which would have led to my expulsion from the party.
Sir, normally I would congratulate you on becoming the President of the Legislative Council. Given the circumstances and by the mere fact that you became the President through a secret factional deal it is difficult for me to wish you well in your role. I have been asked by members to assist you and advise you in your new role. The only advice I will be offering you in public is that you stand up for the independence and sovereignty of the Legislative Council.

I also look forward to your response in this place to the Hon. David Ridgway’s allegations, raised in his speech of 2011, and to assist you in your response I also ask that you research the speech made by the Hon. Angus Redford in July 1995 on your activities in your role as a union official where he stated:
In particular, I draw members’ attention to the fact that Mr Dan Moriarty and Mr Russell Wortley, on every occasion that their duty to their own self interest and their duty to anybody else for whom they are expected and trusted to act conflicted, have erred on the side of self-interest.

Sir, I have known you for many years and whilst I may not completely agree with the Hon. Mr Redford’s and the Hon. Ridgway’s assertions, over time I have formed my own view that you are a parasite and an embarrassment to the Labor movement. The final advice, given your record as a minister, would be that you should resign as President of the Legislative Council.

Finally, let there be no doubt that the Jay Weatherill minority government is united in that the right’s dominance over policy and positions and a substantially weakened, almost to the point of irrelevant progressive left, gives the right almost free rein over the government’s agenda. I commend the motion to you.