Personal Explanation

CRIMINON

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (16:06): I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Leave granted.

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: Earlier this week the opposition received documents purporting to be emails between senior Labor Party identities, Mr Nick Bolkus, Mr Michael Brown and Mr John Boag, which mentioned fundraising activities involving government ministers and a Church of Scientology entity known as Applied Scholastics. This correspondence was the subject of questions put to the government during question time yesterday because only those with access to ALP fundraising records and internet emails would be in a position to verify the information.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker, this is the opportunity for a personal explanation, not to enter into debate about who can explain emails and who cannot. If the Leader of the Opposition claims to have been wronged he can explain that, but he cannot enter into debate.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order and remind the leader that it is factual details only, and no explanation.

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: I am explaining to the house what has occurred.

The Hon. P.F. Conlon interjecting:

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: Do you want to hear the explanation or not?

The Hon. P.F. Conlon interjecting:

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: Since yesterday I note the following developments: firstly, comments made publicly this morning by Mr Michael Brown, claiming that the tax invoices upon which yesterday's question was based were not original.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: I rise on a point of order. The leader is now entering into debate about Michael Brown claiming tax invoices. He needs to talk about where he has been factually misrepresented and make a statement, not re-debate the matter.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The leader has to be very precise.

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: Mr Brown stated that the ALP had not received funds or donations from Applied Scholastics. Secondly, the Minister for Infrastructure has made a statement to the house on behalf of the government stating that the tax invoices were not genuine and that Mr Bolkus and Mr Brown had no knowledge of the emails dated 17 March and 6 March which formed the basis of questioning yesterday.

Thirdly, my office has communicated today with Ms Vicki Dunstan of the Church of Scientology Australia, who has indicated, in response to the opposition's questions, that no gifts or grants have been provided to any political party or member by the church or any representative of the church. These statements are an assurance which I accept at face value have answered questions and clarified the facts.

In light of this information I am of the view that the invoices received by the opposition and the associated emails are discredited and cannot be relied upon. I thank the government for clarifying the matter and I apologise to the house for the line of questioning and associated statements that may have incorrectly asserted that the Premier or ALP officials Nick Bolkus and Michael Brown had any formal links with the subject donations. I extend that apology to the Premier, Mr Bolkus, Mr Brown, Mr Boag and any other party who may have been offended.