State Major Bank Levy

Mr KNOLL (Schubert) (14:54): My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, have you, or anybody under your authority, had any conversations with any representative of the Western Australian government in relation to a state bank tax or levy?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:54): Yes, I have indeed, and they were very interested. I spoke to the telephone conference just before we made the public announcement because we thought that they may have an interest, given that their budget is yet to be handed down. We thought that it would be a natural question that they would be asked and, as a courtesy, we gave them a briefing, and they have asked us to keep them informed about the matter.