Newport Quays

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:35): My question is to the Minister for Housing and Urban Development. Did the government enter a settlement agreement regarding Newport Quays in December last year and, if so, on what date?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Industrial Relations) (14:35): I thank the honourable member for her question. The question as to the exact date is something that I would need to check, because I do not want to mislead the honourable member or the house about this matter. My recollection is that, yes, there was a period during which there were elements in dispute between the government and the terminated contractor at Newport Quays.

There were elements of the financial arrangements between the two which were clear pretty well from the beginning and there were elements which required further work. I am very happy to try to get the exact date for the honourable member. But can I say, if the honourable member's question is directed toward some remarks made in another place to the effect of something like, 'The moon landing occurred at Universal Studios,' then I do not know that that is going to help anybody very much.

Ms CHAPMAN: Supplementary, sir.

The SPEAKER: A supplementary from the deputy leader.