Tourism Budget

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:14): Further supplementary: there is a lot of concern within the tourism industry about the fact that the last budget cuts have resulted in a $100 million decline in the tourism industry. Don't you believe that those concerned people, who have invested in the tourism industry, deserve a little bit more in a formal approach to the Treasurer on the impacts of their cuts than just over a cognac and a cigar?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (15:14): I don't know where the honourable member has been, but neither the Hon. Rob Lucas nor I smoke, and we certainly don't drink when we are talking about business. You might do your business in the Labor caucus with cognac and cigars; you are so out of touch on the other side. That's why the industry sector, as I reported here last year—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Leader of the Opposition, you are trying my patience. Please be silent.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: It's their question time, Mr President. At the end of the day, we have—

The Hon. K.J. Maher interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: I do not need this running commentary, Leader of the Opposition. It is trying.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Last year, I went out and met the sector, which interestingly I had been meeting with for four or five years before as the shadow minister. I am well connected. The people in the industry sector know that I have the ear of the Treasurer and the Premier. We actually are a cabinet government. We discuss things. We don't have to write. This is how insane it is. I know that you were so dysfunctional as a government you would have to send letters to each other. You couldn't actually have a discussion. I know the language that people have said about—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: There's no point, the Hon. Mr Ridgway. I am not going to allow the supplementary, Leader of the Opposition, if you are going to start talking through it. Show some respect for the Hon. Mr Hanson. The Hon. Mr Hanson, is this a supplementary?