Former deputy premier Vickie Chapman has been suspended from the South Australian parliament for six days as the fallout continues over conflict of interest claims.
The parliament on Wednesday passed a motion 23-22 that Ms Chapman had misled the house in relation to statements she made about a proposed port development on Kangaroo Island.
As planning minister at the time, Ms Chapman rejected the $40 million proposal on environmental grounds.
She later rejected suggestions she had a conflict of interest because her family had long held property on the island, including near a timber plantation that would have been logged and sent to the proposed port.
After damning findings from a parliamentary committee, the SA ombudsman is now investigating the conflict of interest issues.
Ms Chapman has stood aside as attorney-general while that investigation proceeds but has not resigned from the role.
She technically remains part of the Liberal ministry but has no responsibilities and will not attend cabinet meetings.
She has also elected to forgo the extra pay ministers receive.
Addressing her previous comments to the house, Labor frontbencher Tom Koutsantonis said Ms Chapman should have resigned as attorney-general and Labor's motion to suspend her from the parliament would be withdrawn if she did so.
He said that would be punishment enough.
"The deputy premier is guilty of misleading the parliament. That is without question," Mr Koutsantonis said.
"We have to act and if we don't act the parliament is a joke."
But government MPs opposed the motion, with Education Minister John Gardner telling the house it was "born of malice" and should be disregarded.
Mr Gardner said it was also the final step in a planned sequence of events which included establishing the select committee and the passing in parliament of a motion of no-confidence in Ms Chapman.
"It remains a nasty, personal, political, vindictive motion that all members should oppose," he said.
Wednesday's suspension came in the last sitting week of the parliament for the year with the house not expected to resume until after the next state election in March.
Speaking after the motion passed, Ms Chapman said she would comply with the decision of the parliament.
She said she would now continue with the legal work required to prepare for the ombudsman's inquiry.
"I will otherwise see you all at the election and, of course, proceed with the preparations with that campaign," she said.
Australian Associated Press
