MINISTERIAL STAFF

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (14:30): Happy to respond. I have a supplementary question arising out of the minister's answer. Is it not correct that the ministerial directory, released under freedom of information to me, lists more than 12.6 full-time equivalents as being within the minister's office?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (14:30): I have already answered that question. I have already said—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I have already answered the question. It is no mystery. I have already said that all my staff are publicly accountable for—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: How incompetent are you? Just look around when you walk through the door.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Do you talk to them; do you say hello?

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: All my staff are publicly accountable for.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: They are all on the public record.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: Take your shoes off and use your toes.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: They are all accounted for.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: Take your shoes off and use your toes if you can't count above your fingers.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Lucas would be leader if he could count.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: And that's why he's a failed treasurer as well, Mr President; he had a lot of trouble with his figures. As I have said, the staffing numbers in my office—the number of FTEs—fluctuate from time to time. Whether there are 12 there at this point in time, I could not tell you. Whether it is 11, 11.2, 11.8, 12.1 or 10.6, I could not tell you exactly, but they are publicly accountable for. I believe that the number of staff I have in the office reflect the very broad scope of responsibilities I have. At this point in time, I would like to acknowledge the incredibly hard and incredibly valuable work my staff do.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: So, they are to be congratulated and acknowledged for their amazing efforts, and I do want to acknowledge those efforts.