BUS CONTRACTS

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg) (14:40): My question is to the Minister for Transport Services. Why did the minister yesterday state in relation to bus contractor penalties, 'this is absolutely commercial-in-confidence...we can't tell how much we're fining them', when departmental officers have previously revealed the penalty rates, and indeed the total amount by defaulting bus contractors, to the Budget and Finance Committee?

The Hon. C.C. FOX (Bright—Minister for Transport Services) (14:40): I am not quite sure whether the particular instance the member refers to was in camera or not. What I can say is that my decision is my decision, it is not the decision of the contract.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Bragg, you have asked the question, now listen to the answer.

The Hon. C.C. FOX: Should the member for Bragg wish, at any point, to ask me in this place what those are then, of course, I would be compelled by the nature of this place to stand up and tell that truth.