McGowan, Dr C.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:25): My questions are to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing:

1. Given that the minister's chief executive, Dr Chris McGowan, is under independent investigation regarding conflicts of interest, will the minister explain how it is appropriate that Dr McGowan is a member of a task force investigating conflicts of interest?

2. Has Dr Chris McGowan declared any conflicts of interest to the task force?

3. Has the task force met yet and, if so, when?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:25): In relation to the first—

The Hon. E.S. Bourke: Just in case you are wondering—

The Hon. S.G. WADE: If you would like to stop asking your question, I can give you an answer.

The Hon. E.S. Bourke: —it's a task force in regard to the report that you tabled last week.

The Hon. S.G. Wade: Sorry, Mr President, I thought that we had finished asking questions. How do I know when she has finished asking her question if she keeps talking?

The PRESIDENT: I am not having a conversation with you while you are seated. The Hon. Ms Bourke, what were you attempting to do there? I missed it.

The Hon. E.S. Bourke: I was just having a conversation with him, that's all.

The PRESIDENT: I know that it's almost the last day of the year, possibly, so can we all understand that, if you wish to address me, you stand or, if you wish to make a point, you are on your feet. I refuse to hear any of that. Minister, you have the question. Do you wish to answer it?

The Hon. S.G. WADE: I actually got three questions and I have three answers. To number one, I refer the honourable member to my answer last week. In relation to number two, I am not a member of the task force so I cannot answer that question. In relation to number three, today is Tuesday and they met yesterday.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Bourke, a supplementary.