Land Tax

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (14:57): My question is to the Treasurer. What or who gave the Treasurer the impression that builder Scott Salisbury supported the Marshall Liberal government's land tax policy?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:57): It wasn't a what; it was a who. It was a member of my staff, and it wasn't that Mr Salisbury supported the proposition but that he may well have warmed to the government's revised package. He has subsequently made publicly known that he hasn't warmed; he remains cool. I think that's a fair description. I accept Mr Salisbury's position.

Can I also place on the public record, as I did to The Advertiser—and it was fairly reported—that the only discussion I have had with anyone was actually a private briefing with the Master Builders Association, within which I indicated three builders who I believe had previously been strong opponents but who may well have warmed to the government's new position, one of whom was Mr Salisbury. I have had no other discussion about Mr Salisbury's position, correct or otherwise, with any other individual, other than a private discussion, or briefing, with the Master Builders Association.