Senior lawyer challenges Water Minister David Speirs to repeat River Murray Royal Commission report criticism outside Parliament

A Senior Counsel who assisted on the River Murray Royal Commission has challenged Water Minister David Speirs to show “guts” and repeat outside of Parliament his claim that the royal commissioner isn’t a “deity”.

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A Senior Counsel who assisted on the River Murray Royal Commission has challenged Water Minister David Speirs to show “guts” and repeat outside of Parliament his claim that the royal commissioner isn’t a “deity”.

Mr Speirs on Tuesday said the Royal Commissioner’s title didn’t elevate him to a “deity” and his report should be subject to discussion.

During the same debate in Parliament, Premier Steven Marshall said the Royal Commission report included “ludicrous and nonsensical” criticism of Mr Speirs, after it accused him of a “capitulation” to the upstream states.

SA Deputy Premier Vickie Chapman, SA Premier Steven Marshall, and Water Minister David Speirs. Picture: AAP / Sam Wundke

That commentary referred to Mr Speirs’ agreement to change the conditions under which extra water can be released to the system.

Mr Marshall said that was a Cabinet decision, needed to give SA a shot at an extra 450 billion litres of water as upstream states threatened to walk away from the table and blow up the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

Tweeting on Wednesday morning, Richard Beasley SC said: “Does he (Mr Speirs) have the guts to say that outside of Parliament? And how does he know? That was not in the Commission’s Terms of Reference”.

Does he have the guts to say that outside of Parliament? And how does he know? That was not in the Commission's Terms of Reference.

— Richard Beasley SC (@RichardCBeasley) February 12, 2019

In direct response to a tweet from Mr Marshall which called for an end to political games over the River, Mr Beasley wrote: “Can you please tell me what a “bipatrisan (sic) approach” to the Basin Plan is?”

“It sounds vaguely unlawful, or rude, or restricted to aristocrats,” he tweeted. “Also, as the Nats are running water for the Cwth, and the Greens have an interest, if you meant ‘bipartisan’, is that correct anyway?”

Can you please tell me what a "bipatrisan approach" to the Basin Plan is? It sounds vaguely unlawful, or rude, or restricted to aristocrats. Also, as the Nats are running water for the Cwth, and the Greens have an interest, if you meant "bipartisan", is that correct anyway?

— Richard Beasley SC (@RichardCBeasley) February 12, 2019

Mr Beasley’s initial spelling error of “bipatrisan” mocked a mistake the artwork posted in Mr Marshall’s own tweet.

Speaking to Advertiser.com.au, Mr Beasley said: “I’m not broadening (the tweet) it. I’m just suggesting that it would be very brave to suggest that Bret Walker was not a deity outside of Parliament.”

With tongue apparently in cheek, Mr Beasley added: “I actually do believe that Bret Walker is a deity”.

Mr Beasley was counsel assisting on the River Murray Royal Commission, its second-most senior figure.

The Commission was led by Sydney silk Bret Walker, who has represented senior political figures from both sides of the aisle including former prime minister Kevin Rudd and former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce.

Mr Marshall on Tuesday declined to repeat his “ludicrous” comment in a press conference after the speech that was covered by parliamentary privilege.

However, he did repeat the comments in an ABC Radio interview on Wednesday morning.

It is an offence to insult a Royal Commission, but there is legal uncertainty about if that law can be enforced.

Maximum penalties are a $220 fine or three months’ prison.