Ministerial Staff

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (15:11): My question is to the Treasurer. Does the Treasurer have any knowledge of whether the Premier's chief of staff has been cautioned or asked to clarify comments the Premier has made in relation to specific staffing positions within cabinet office or DPC?

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: 'Starting' positions?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Staffing positions. I will ask the question again: does the Treasurer have any knowledge whether the Premier's chief of staff has been cautioned or asked to clarify comments the Premier has made in relation to specific staffing positions within cabinet office or DPC?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:11): No, I am not aware of any counselling or cautioning in the context—

The Hon. K.J. Maher: The Premier has just answered this, so you would want to be very careful about what you say here.

The PRESIDENT: Let the Treasurer answer.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Mr President, I can assure the Leader of the Opposition, the last person in the world I would need advice from in terms of answering questions would be the Leader of the Opposition. I listened to his feeble attempts over a number of years to answer questions. So don't wag your finger or your pencil at me, offering advice in relation to answering questions. No, I am not aware of any counselling or cautioning in relation to staffing issues.