Page 2565 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 24 August 1993
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You are not serious about this issue of information. You are not serious about seeking information through the processes that are available to you. Do not try to mislead the community out there that there is some question about the level of information that is provided by this Government. What you have to convince them of is that you are serious about doing your job here. Spend more time here. Get your staff to do a little bit more. We are not here to do all of your inquiries for you. You have to do a little bit of work as well, and that will continue to be the case. Stop misleading the community on this question. There is ample access to information in this Assembly for the Liberals and every other member of the Assembly. How many times have you asked for detailed briefings on these issues?
Mrs Carnell: Regularly. You told me that you would not give me any briefings. Zero. None.
MR BERRY: There have been very few requests from Mrs Carnell. Take the list of questions. One question on the hospice; two questions about Acton Peninsula; one question about the relocation of QEII to Acton; no questions about pregnancy termination in 1992; two questions about the hospice in 1993, and we are well over halfway down the track there, and on pregnancy termination, no questions. So, Mrs Carnell, get serious. When you look as though you are pursuing information in this place people will believe that you are serious about the question of information.
Chief Minister's Visit to Japan
MR DE DOMENICO: Madam Speaker, I refer the Chief Minister to the answer she gave to Mrs Carnell's first question. I think her own words were that it was going to cost around the $180,000 mark.
Mr Lamont: Diddums is upset because Diddums is not going.
MR DE DOMENICO: Mr Lamont, if I were going to Japan I would be paying my own way. Are you? I draw the Chief Minister's attention to the fact that Senator Richardson, a Federal Minister, was recently able to travel halfway around the world at public expense, from Hong Kong to London and The Hague, with his wife and staff, at a total cost to the Australian taxpayers of $53,000, including air fares and high-quality accommodation over a two-week period. I also draw to the Chief Minister's attention that details of this trip drew howls of public outrage when they were released. Why is it necessary, therefore, Chief Minister, for you to travel in what seems to be greater luxury and with a larger entourage than even the Federal Cabinet Ministers enjoy?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, I am unaware of any of the detail to do with Senator Richardson's visit. I repeat that the costs of the Japan trip are not finalised. Certainly, they will be available when they are. It is the case, Madam Speaker, that this is a delegation, so I am not taking a spouse or whatever it was that Senator Richardson took. I am not aware of how long his trip was. As far as I am concerned, the Japan visit will be achieved at the minimum possible cost. The figures that I am working on are as I have said before and, if they can be reduced in any way, they will be. Mr De Domenico is just itching to get in a supplementary question. Madam Speaker, it is not a secret and I would certainly be open to briefing members opposite at a time when the details are more settled.
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