Luxe Haus

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:28): Supplementary arising from the answer the minister gave: the minister has said that he met Mr Ahlburg before he became a minister and that's why he thinks saying, 'No, I don't recall meeting him at all,' is acceptable. The minister also said that he didn't meet him on the 18^th but maybe on another date close to that. How many times has the minister met Mr Ahlburg in total?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:29): I wish the honourable member would listen. I said the 19^th, not the 18^th, but clearly he doesn't want to listen. Can I give the honourable member a bit of a snapshot. In opposition, for 16 years, I did about four events a week ranging from 10 people to 100,000 people. Let's say it averaged 500 people; I have interacted with 1.6 million people. I have no idea how many interactions I may have had with him. That is why I refer the honourable member to my final sentence: it is likely that there have been occasions since when we would have both been guests at the same events, but I have no recollection of any specific interactions.