Ministerial Staff

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (14:48): My question is to the Leader of the Government. Has the minister received any advice that any of her ministerial staff have used private email accounts to transact official government business?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:48): I thank the honourable member for his question. I think the Hon. Ian Hunter addressed this issue yesterday, so the government has already made statements about this matter and it is being considered by the Attorney-General. On 14 October, in a ministerial statement, the Attorney-General was clear that it is his intention to provide advice to the Premier for him to communicate with ministerial staff reminding them of their obligations under the State Records and FOI acts. The Attorney-General is currently considering these matters and it certainly would not be appropriate and nor do I intend to make any further comments in relation to this matter.