MINISTERIAL CODE OF CONDUCT

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:16): My question is to the Minister for Transport Services. Did the minister absent herself from a cabinet vote because she thought she had a conflict of interest yesterday in relation to changing the law suppressing the identity of people accused of sex crimes?

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister, sit down a moment. I won't accept that question. It is a question regarding the cabinet party room and I don't think that's acceptable. It is not the normal practice, and I have consulted with the Clerk on that. Deputy leader, do you have another question?

Mr WILLIAMS: A point of clarification, Madam Speaker. The issue was canvassed by another minister in the press conference yesterday following cabinet. The question goes to—

Mrs Redmond: The accountability of government.

Mr WILLIAMS: Yes, the accountability of ministers and whether ministers adhere to the ministerial code of conduct, because, in the press conference yesterday, there were conflicting reports of what actually occurred in cabinet, and I think it is in the public interest for the public to understand whether ministers do, in fact, adhere to the code of conduct.

The SPEAKER: I don't consider that that is the case. I don't think the minister should have to reveal to the public what happens in the cabinet room. However, the Minister for Transport Services appears willing to answer the question so I will allow the question to go ahead.

The Hon. C.C. FOX (Bright—Minister for Transport Services) (15:18): Thank you, and I—well, actually, I don't thank the member for MacKillop for his question.

The Hon. G. Portolesi interjecting:

The Hon. C.C. FOX: There is that. The answer to your question 'Did I absent myself?' in relation to these particular matters is yes. That is documented and I always have done so in relation to the matters which you are thinking of. Always.