Page 4731 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 10 November 2009
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Mr Stanhope: Well, it is. It might have been directed to me as it was a question about administrative arrangements orders.
MR SPEAKER: There is no point of order, Mr Stanhope.
Mr Stanhope: The Deputy Chief Minister is not responsible for the administrative arrangements orders; I am.
MR SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order.
MRS DUNNE: Can I just ask the question again and put some clarity into the question?
MR SPEAKER: Just the last part, Mrs Dunne.
MRS DUNNE: Okay. Mr Corbell sought to take responsibility for answering questions in this place previously, and given the advice that we have received and what the administrative arrangements say about your role in relation to Actew, why was Mr Corbell trying to field your questions?
Mr Stanhope: I will take that question.
MR SPEAKER: Would you like to answer on behalf of—
MR STANHOPE: I will take that. That question should have been directed to me and I will take it.
The question is based on a misunderstanding of the administrative arrangements order. I must say that for somebody of Mrs Dunne’s experience I am surprised that she does not understand how administrative arrangements work or how to interpret them. The minister for the environment and the minister for water is responsible for water policy and water security and it is appropriate that he answers questions in relation to those matters.
MR SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, a supplementary question?
MRS DUNNE: If the Treasurer is responsible under the administrative arrangements for Actew Corporation, why is it not appropriate for the Treasurer to answer questions in relation to the activities of Actew Corporation, even if they do relate to the broader alliance?
MR STANHOPE: I think a review of Hansard would show that the Treasurer has answered numerous questions in relation to this particular project, in relation to Actew, in relation to the dam and in relation to water security, to the extent that it actually impacted on her responsibilities as reflected in the administrative arrangements order. It is a bit like saying, when there is a minister for housing how is it that the opposition continue to ask me questions about housing affordability. It is because of the way the administrative arrangements order has been structured and because I have
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