Kevin Foley Arrogant Childish and Cocky??

This is the nice man who is deciding how much money Public Schools should get. Personally I think that he should enter into debate rather than ranting and belittling people. A little humility and politeness would reflect well on Members of Parliament.

From Adelaide Now

Labor has admitted a plan to destroy the credibility of Liberal leader Martin Hamilton-Smith was behind the attack by Treasurer Kevin Foley.

Mr Foley, one of the Government's "attack dogs", this week went close to provoking a parliamentary crisis by accusing Mr Hamilton-Smith of lying on Thursday in a hearing of the Budget Estimates Committee.

Parliament faced the prospect of being recalled to deal with moves to suspend Mr Foley for failing to observe standing orders before he withdrew the accusation.

Mr Foley, however, continued launching verbal missiles at Mr Hamilton-Smith throughout the remainder of the hearing.

Similar tactics were employed the previous day by Transport Minister Patrick Conlon, when he was questioned by the Opposition Leader on infrastructure.

Mr Foley has been at the centre of a series of high profile political rows, including allegations he verbally abused deputy Liberal leader Vickie Chapman and had a confrontation in the parliamentary bar with No Pokies MLC Nick Xenophon.

Earlier this year, he became embroiled in a confrontation with parklands protesters in Rundle Mall over plans for the $55 million redevelopment of Victoria Park racecourse.

He claimed protesters had pushed him and abused his then partner, Emma Forster.

Labor sources said yesterday the Government believed Mr Hamilton-Smith was "all over the shop" with his statements and often appeared to contradict himself.

"All we are trying to do is show Marty has no idea of where he is going and will just make a statement off the top of his head to get a headline," one said.

Another source said Mr Foley's comments were a reflection of the fact "he doesn't suffer fools gladly".

There is growing disquiet on the Labor backbench, however, about the Government's tactics with women MPs, questioning if it presents a good look for Parliament.

Liberal sources said the Foley attack in Parliament was "the biggest leg-up they could ever give us".

Ms Chapman said she was "disappointed that a Treasurer responsible for a $12 billion Budget should have the audacity and cheek to walk out".

"I think his behaviour was childish and unnecessary and I think the fact he came back in demonstrates someone higher up told him he should go back and start answering questions," she said.

Long-serving independent MP Bob Such said the latest incident was just one of a series which had added nothing to the esteem of Parliament in public eyes.

"My advice to Mr Foley is to just cool it a bit," he said. "It is not a good look for either him or the Government. There is already a sense in the community that the Government is getting a bit too cocky."

Mr Xenophon said he felt Mr Foley was "full of bluster" and Premier Mike Rann should take his Treasurer aside and tell him he had "overstepped the line".