Northern Economic Plan

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:01): My question is to the Leader of the Government: does the minister have an answer to a question I asked two months ago in relation to how much of the $24.6 million announced in the January 2016 Northern Economic Plan release was already part of the $93 million over four years announced by the Premier on 18 October 2015?

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) (15:01): I thank the honourable member for his question—the political genius on the other side, the political genius who gave us the Fisher by-election result, the man every single Labor member desperately hopes runs the campaign against them. It was interesting: I only had discussions with people who were working at the last federal election, and noted that, on the Woodville booth the honourable member was on, there was a massive swing against them. Not only is every Labor member hoping he runs a campaign against them, but that he staffs booths on the day against them. In terms of his question: all new money.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: What's your answer?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I've said it: if you were yelling and not listening, that's your problem!

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: I didn't say anything.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I did; I've just answered the question.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: You are a disgrace. You should resign!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: For the benefit of Hansard, the $24.6 million is new money.

Members interjecting:

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