At a lunchtime debate Mr Venning found himself seated next to the man who assaulted the Premier with a wine magazine.

He had no idea who Rick Phillips was.

“The guy was nice. Until I realised who he was. Honestly I didn’t know who he was,” he told journalists after the SA Press Club debate concluded.

“I’ve taken everyone’s name at the table as witnesses to the fact I did not know who Rick Phillips was,” Mr Venning was reported to have said.

The Member for Schubert only found out who he was seated next to when Treasurer Kevin Foley - who was involved in the debate - made fun of the situation.

Mr Foley referred to Venning and Phillips as mates.

Mr Venning was appalled with the way Kevin Foley treated the situation.

“I?don’t get involved in this type of carry-on,” he said. “I just sat in the seat allocated to me.

“It was deliberate trouble making.

“It wasn’t just an accident.

“Someone sat me there deliberately.”

Mr Phillips said he was also unimpressed with the Treasurer’s attempts to embarrass Mr Venning.