MEMBER'S TRAVEL REPORT

The Hon. R.J. McEWEN (Mount Gambier) (15:02): My question is to the member for Hammond. Can the member for Hammond please tell the house who travelled with him to—

Mr VENNING: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: I cannot make a ruling on whether the question is in order until I have heard it.

Mr VENNING: He is asking the member for Hammond a question. He is not a minister yet. He will be soon.

The SPEAKER: Order! Any member can be asked a question if the Speaker thinks that the member has a responsibility to the house for the matter about which a question is asked.

The Hon. R.J. McEWEN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. To assist the member for Schubert, the member for Hammond tabled with the Support Services Office on 9 October 2008 this House of Assembly report, for which he is now accountable to the house. Therefore, I ask the member for Hammond three questions in relation to the central west New South Wales and southern Queensland visits of 6 to 11 June 2008: who travelled with him; was any financial assistance provided to any third party; and can he guarantee to the house that all photographic evidence provided in the report was legally obtained?

The SPEAKER: The member for Mount Gambier's question raises some interesting questions. The member for Hammond, I presume, has undertaken travel at public expense, and I would be loath to rule that he has no responsibility to the house for that. It is the first time such a question has been asked. The member for Hammond is obviously keen to take the question. I will allow it and perhaps reflect on it and come back to the house with a more—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I will come back to the house, when we return, with a more definitive ruling. The member for Hammond.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:06): In response to the member for Mount Gambier, I did undertake a trip last year, and observed all proper procedures and protocols and submitted my report as required.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The house will come to order. The Minister for Transport.