Premier's Taskforce

Mr BATTY (Bragg) (14:36): A supplementary.

The SPEAKER: We'll see if it's a supplementary.

Mr BATTY: In reference to the task force report that the minister is refusing to release, can the minister advise whether he has convened a meeting of the task force since his appointment?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir: standing order 97. I would ask the opposition's Manager of Opposition Business to rephrase that question to take out the word 'refusal' because it adds debate into the question.

The SPEAKER: Member for Bragg, would you comply?

Mr BATTY: Has the minister convened a meeting of the Premier's Taskforce?

The SPEAKER: I think it's a separate question, not a supplementary. The minister.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN (Kavel—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Special Minister of State) (14:37): Thank you, Mr Speaker—and I am very, very glad to take it. I have done something much better than that—much, much better than that. I have met with the union—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: The standard was so, so low, deputy leader, that anybody here could have exceeded it—anybody here. Anybody there could have exceeded it. Maybe some other people here or to come could have exceeded it. That's how low the standard was, deputy leader, let me tell you.

The SPEAKER: Minister! You are that close to leaving the chamber until the end of question time. I have asked you four times now to stop engaging with the opposition. They ask you questions, please answer the questions and don't engage with them or you will be joining a couple of those from my left in the tuckshop.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I always appreciate your protection and encouragement with respect to the standing orders. As I say, we have done much, much better than that.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: Are you ready?

Mr Pederick: Seriously?

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: 'Seriously'? We have done much better. We have taken, obviously, every matter that has subsequently been put to the government very, very seriously but, more importantly, we have acted. We have made the investments that are necessary to turn around the recruitment crisis which ministers faced on coming to government.