PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14:42): Does the minister's answer indicate that the minister expects that government business will be concluded by Tuesday evening?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (14:42): One lives in hope, perpetual hope! I live in perpetual hope! I have indicated that we will be sitting during the optional sitting week or part thereof—I think that is the term I used. Again, I made it quite apparent to all interested parties that I am happy to use all of that three-day sitting time or part of that time, depending on what is needed.

If honourable members believe that all appropriate priority business can be completed on the Tuesday, I am happy to wind up then. If honourable members indicate that they want a private members' session on the Wednesday, I am happy for that to occur. If we require the Thursday to complete government business, we will sit here and complete government business.

What is more, I will put on the record that if government priorities (which I have indicated to honourable members) are not completed—and there are a number of government priorities that must be completed before this session gets up, including a remuneration bill that has just come through, as well—and they must be completed this session, if the optional sitting week is not enough, I need to let members know that we will come back the week after that and the week after that until it is completed. I understand that Parliament House puts on a very good turkey so we might be sitting here on Christmas Day eating Christmas lunch at Parliament House—so whatever it takes, Mr President.