Remote Aboriginal Housing

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (14:31): Well, for some clarity, sir. With respect, that didn't answer my question. My question went to this: was the provision of the $37.5 million from the commonwealth for remote Aboriginal housing only going to be made available if the state matched the funding?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:31): I have given the member the answer to the question that I propose to give.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: That's not the answer.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Well, that's the answer I am giving, and he will have to be satisfied with it. All of the discussions—

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: You weren't going to get the money unless you coughed up $37.5 million.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: That's your view.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Why won't you tell us?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: That's your view.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Why won't you tell us, Rob?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: I am proposing to put on the record what I put on the record. That is—

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: You're in parliament; you're accountable to parliament. Tell us: is that what the commonwealth put on the table?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: I am accountable. I have just given you the answer I am going to give you. Mr President—

The Hon. I.K. Hunter interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Allow the member to answer your own question, the Hon. Mr Hunter.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: He's not answering the question, sir; he's dodging it. Why?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Mr President, all of the negotiations—

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: What's behind the dodge? What are you hiding?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Have you quite finished?

The Hon. I.K. Hunter interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Allow the Treasurer to answer your question, the Hon. Mr Hunter.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Keep going.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Give us the answer. Tell us.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: I am happy to stand here for as long as you want to keep—

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Did they say $37.5 million, or no deal?

The PRESIDENT: This is not a time for a private conversation. Sit down, Treasurer. You are trying my patience. The Hon. Ms Scriven.