TOURISM COMMISSION

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (14:39): A supplementary question: can the minister confirm to the house that due process and transparency occurred in the appointment of Mr Rik Morris? If the minister has not investigated that, can the minister investigate and report back to this house?

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) (14:39): That's outrageous! What an outrageous assertion! That is outrageous, and I really find it incredibly offensive that members of parliament can come into this place, cower under parliamentary privilege, cower under the protection of that and use this place as an opportunity to create innuendo that would create a disreputable—

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: Spit it out, Gail.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Well, I am flabbergasted, I have to say. I am flabbergasted. I find this really incredibly difficult to come to grips with—that members of parliament could be so despicable. If the honourable member has any evidence whatsoever to suggest—it's disgraceful behaviour. It's absolutely disgraceful.

You come in here and you ruin the reputation of good people and it's a disgrace. It's an absolute disgrace. It's an abuse of privilege—an absolute abuse of privilege. If he has any minute bit of evidence, even one tiny skerrick of evidence that there was anything untoward in relation to that process, well, put up or shut up. It's an absolute disgrace to come in here and cast such innuendo and aspersions on good, hardworking people.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Lucas might as well have one, too.