MINISTER FOR FORESTS

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:22): My question is to the Minister for Forests. Will the minister now retract his statement made in the house yesterday that the Treasurer's comments about him were 'bloody nonsense'?

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN (Napier—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Northern Suburbs) (14:22): The Treasurer and I met yesterday evening—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN: Coming up to the end of the year, the festive time, and I thought it was appropriate that we shared a little Christmas joy.

The Hon. K.O. Foley: Not too much.

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN: Not too much, no; we're saving that up. I made a statement on radio this morning that the disagreement, if it could be described that way, came down to a communication glitch between our respective offices. The Treasurer was aware of certain information of which I was unaware, and vice versa. I was aware of certain—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN: We have sorted out that particular issue of inter-office communication. All has been resolved and, as the Treasurer said, we are good mates.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Settle down.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Bragg, settle down. No, you are not getting a question. No, member for Bragg, it is not your question. I am just telling you to settle down. I know you're keen, but I call the member for Torrens.