Riverbank Precinct

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:39): As the CEO, was Rod Hook asked by the government to meet with Lang Walker or representatives of Walker Corporation to discuss development at Festival Plaza?

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) (14:39): I have to make it clear to the honourable member and to other members of the house that I have never been the minister for the department of infrastructure and transport and I have only recently become the minister responsible for Renewal. So, the question that is being asked of me, basically, concerns my general knowledge at a period of time predating my involvement.

My understanding is that there were necessarily a number of conversations between Mr Hook, who, after all, was the head of DPTI, and various people, and I am almost certain that, at some stage, one or more of those meetings would have included Mr Walker. You need to understand that Mr Hook, in his then role both as the head of DPTI but also as the major project manager for the government, would routinely meet with many people who were involved in development around the city. The short answer is: I am sure Mr Hook would have met, at some stage—probably on multiple occasions—with Mr Walker.