REPLIES TO QUESTIONS

The Hon. C.V. SCHAEFER (15:12): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of the Government in this chamber a question about replies to questions I have asked previously.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C.V. SCHAEFER: A check of my files has shown that I now have answers to 30 questions outstanding, dating back to 2006. How many of those questions does the minister anticipate I will receive answers to before the end of my parliamentary career?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:13): I do not anticipate such issues, but what I do know is that, when these issues are raised—

The Hon. R.I. Lucas interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: And Mr Lucas is a great one for raising this issue in the media; often, when you go and check, you find that some of the questions that he claims have not been answered have, in fact, been answered one way or another. Once the council adjourns, what will happen—

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Well, it is obviously the responsibility of the minister concerned. I believe that very few questions that have been referred to me from another place are outstanding. Over the Christmas break—and this is what normally happens—the department will continue to prepare answers to questions. I think the usual practice is to provide honourable members with written answers, and they are then incorporated in Hansard on our return. I certainly know that, in past years over the summer and winter breaks, a number of questions are answered and sent in letter form. However, if there are any questions in particular to which the honourable member wishes to have answers, she should raise them with me and I will see what can be done.

The PRESIDENT: I am sure the Hon. Caroline Schaefer will be reading Hansard as she drives the tractor through the grapevines!