Poker Machines

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:03): Does that mean that the Treasurer does not agree with the figures that have been released by his own government's department earlier this year?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:03): I am happy for the member to refer me to figures released by my own department—by that I presume she means Treasury—to back the contention that she has just made. I am happy to have a look at those. But it wouldn't be the first or the last time that, as a duly elected official, I might take a different view from the views that public officials put to me. We are not mere ciphers for the views of our public servants and departments. It might surprise the honourable member to know that we are capable of independent thought; we are capable of listening to advice; we are capable of listening to argument; and we are capable of making an independent decision, ultimately. I certainly don't recall seeing any figures along the lines that the honourable member has suggested.