GAMING MACHINES

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14:39): My question is to the Minister for Gambling. Are the hours that gaming machines can operate a conscience vote for government members?

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Energy) (14:39): The reason—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: It is good to see someone on that side cheerful today; and I can understand why some are cheerful and some are not. The member for Davenport would know this because he has been around a long time; he is one of the more skilful in this place in relation to the things he does in here and the things he does outside. He would know the Minister for Gambling has responsibility to this house for gambling. He does not have responsibility to this house for the rules of the Labor Party.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: My God! It's not often that you get an interjection that invites you to make a comment that you really don't want to make, but I have an interjection from Mitch Williams. I am taking advice from the man who declared that he could not possibly serve under the Leader of the Opposition—but insists everyone else does. I mean, he has some credibility!

The rules of the Labor Party, even though I do not have responsibility to the house for them, for the benefit of members opposite, whether a matter is for a conscience vote is a decision, in the first instance in here, for the Premier and, in the party at large, for the President. I do not believe anyone has a responsibility to the house in terms of the rules of the Labor Party, but I will pass the question on to the Premier to see whether he wishes to provide the honourable member with an answer.