Domestic and Family Violence

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:46): A final supplementary: if this is a process that should be led by male colleagues, has the minister, in her role as the minister for the status of women, encouraged her male colleagues to attend tonight?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:46): No, I haven't, because people are perfectly capable when they receive an email—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Bourke, I would like to hear the answer. You asked the question. I would like to hear the answer in silence.

The Hon. R.P. Wortley: A very disappointing answer.

The PRESIDENT: Please, the Hon. Mr Wortley, you know better. Minister.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: What the honourable member is suggesting is that, every time there is some event that relates to my portfolio, I should be phoning them up and encouraging them to attend things. What am I: their mother? I don't think so. Sixty-nine members of this parliament have been invited to an event. There were a large—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Ms Bourke, do you want to hear the answer or not?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Wortley, you know better. Minister, would you like to finish your answer, please.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Yes, I would. We had an event, I think it was last year, with Julia Zemiro attending. We had a large number of our colleagues attending. I think it is within the wit and wisdom of most members of parliament; perhaps it's not for the Labor members, but I am quite sure that most of our colleagues are capable of replying to their own emails and understanding the importance of it.