Northern Economic Plan

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (14:23): A further supplementary question arising out of the answer: is the minister now indicating, by inference, that he misled the house yesterday when he said that the 15,000 jobs target was a decision that he took in discussion with the local mayors?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:23): I think I have quite clearly answered that. I am not entirely sure what the honourable member goes on about sometimes, and the selective way he tries to remember things from the past. As I repeated here today, this document was done jointly with the state government and those councils. I think it is a good document, the councils involved think it is a good document, and we stand by what we are aiming to do.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Wade.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Wade has the floor.