CRIMINON

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (15:35): My question is to the Premier, now that he is back from his briefing in the corridor of a few seconds ago. What discussions did the Premier have with ALP officials about 'special treatment' for representatives of Criminon or Applied Scholastics at the 16 March meeting?

In an email from the ALP state secretary to ALP fundraiser and lobbyist Nick Bolkus on 6 March 2009, the subject heading 'Melbourne visit', Mr Brown asked Mr Bolkus:

Mike has asked me if there is anyone worth visiting while he is in Melbourne next week. Are they worth special treatment?

In a later email from Nick Bolkus to Michael Brown, dated Tuesday 17 March 2009, Mr Bolkus refers to the Melbourne visit—the one he cannot remember—and states, 'As discussed, they were happy with their discussions with Mike. Worth the trip.'

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (15:36): They did not have discussions with me, sunshine, let me just tell you that. I have asked my office outside to check the pecuniary interests register of the Leader of the Opposition to see if he has any connections with an organisation called Criminon, because it sounds much more like the cup of tea of members opposite than it does of me.

I will say this too—because I do not change my name and I do not change other matters to do with my record—that we know, and it has been made a matter of public fact, that the Liberal Party of Australia has had a special relationship with the Closed Brethren. Now I am wondering whether it has a special relationship with Scientology.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!