TOURISM COMMISSION

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:36): I have a further supplementary. Can the minister explain, then, what the difference is between a one-off payment and an ex gratia payment? It is either part of a lease that was agreed or an ex gratia payment.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister did make it quite clear that she would get back to you on anything that she might—

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) (14:37): No, no, Mr President.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: I'm not. I'm just reminding you what the minister has said. It is hardly a supplementary.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: It is just disappointing. Obviously, the honourable member has had a week off from parliament and is having trouble engaging his thoughts. The concept is not a difficult one. This is not rocket science. I think this is the third time I have put it on the record, but I will say it again. It was a once-off payment. There was a disagreement initially about whether or not that function was included in the lease.

As I have indicated, I have put it on the record now several times. The honourable member clearly has problems taking in this very simple piece of information. We were advised that, in fact, those functions were part of our obligations under the lease at that time, and therefore we made that payment in light of that. It is quite simple. It is not rocket science. I have answered the question in a full, open and honest way, and I cannot help it if the honourable member is having trouble grasping such a simple piece of information.