BUS CONTRACTS

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg) (14:53): Supplementary, Madam Speaker: on the question of whether the minister has instigated something or the department, my question, minister, is: are you suggesting that the department in exercising the contractual obligations of the bus contractors in previous years has done so without the authority of the minister?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister for Transport Services.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Is the Minister for Transport Services going to answer this one—

The Hon. C.C. FOX (Bright—Minister for Transport Services) (14:53): Yes, that would be good. No.

The SPEAKER: —or the Minister for Transport?

The Hon. C.C. FOX: I see; and also Patrick said the same thing.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Have you answered the question minister? I couldn't tell.

The Hon. C.C. FOX: Well, I think I have, yes.

The SPEAKER: Thank you. The member for Light.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!