Premier Peter Malinauskas leaves parliament to attend glamorous Mid Winter Ball

The Premier has been accused of “arrogance” for “sneaking” out of SA while parliament was sitting to go to a glitzy Canberra ball. See what he has to say.

Premier Peter Malinauskas has flown out of the state while parliament was sitting to attend the Canberra press gallery’s glamorous fundraising ball.

Mr Malinauskas was in the chamber for question time on Wednesday but flew out later in the afternoon before attending the Mid Winter Ball at Parliament House, which he said was a networking opportunity.

Peter Malinauskas arriving at the Midwinter Ball at Parliament House in Canberra last night. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

Parliament continued to sit into the night as the government attempted to rush through legislation that would enable a plebiscite on exploring council amalgamations.

“Arrogant @PMalinauskasMP forced MPs to sit late last night to jam through his ‘important’ council merger legislation while he snuck out of parliament early to attend a party in Canberra. Outrageous,” the state Liberals tweeted.

Arrogant @PMalinauskasMP forced MPs to sit late last night to jam through his 'important' council merger legislation while he snuck out of Parliament early to attend a party in Canberra. Outrageous #saparli 📸AAP #saparlipic.twitter.com/VlptabpO8W

— SA Liberal Media (@SALibMedia) September 7, 2022

An opposition spokesman said it raised questions about Mr Malinauskas’ priorities.

“Ditching parliament and his own council merger legislation for a black tie party in Canberra is a shocking look and South Australians would rightfully be angry,” he said.

“Party Pete made other MPs sit late in parliament last night to rush through Labor’s council merger thought bubble while the Premier was living it up in extravagance at this lavish party.”

He said, in usual circumstances, if a member of parliament needs to be absent then a pair is requested – but that did not happen on this occasion.

A spokesman for Mr Malinauskas said he had been invited to attend the event by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who is also Defence Minister.

“He had the opportunity to meet with Mr Marles before the event to discuss a range of topics including defence industry in South Australia,” he said.

“This was an opportunity to meet with some of the nation’s leaders in business, government and media.

“It is not unusual for MPs to attend such events while parliament is sitting.”

Mr Malinauskas’ flight was delayed but he was present for parliamentary question time on Thursday, when the government pointed out the absence of former premier Steven Marshall.

It is understood Mr Marshall is travelling to the US for a repeat of a privately-funded job-attraction and investment mission conducted in June, which was endorsed at the time by Mr Malinauskas.

Mr Marshall was paired for the day.