Paddy's Law

The Hon. C. BONAROS (14:57): A supplementary: I didn't ask what the member had relayed to the member for Flinders. I asked specifically, without making any inferences about what has been said to me or otherwise, what was the nature of the discussion he had with Mr Adrian Ryan.

The PRESIDENT: This is a question?

The Hon. C. BONAROS: Yes, that's my question.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:57): Well, in relation to that, I am not going to reveal the nature of a private conversation with an individual unless he or she puts on the public record their version of a particular private conversation—

The Hon. C. Bonaros interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: —because it was a private conversation. It is a very sensitive issue and I acknowledge that. There are very strongly held views by family members in relation to it. The government's position happens to be different to the views of the family members, and indeed to the those of the Hon. Ms Bonaros. We respect those differences, but it doesn't mean that the government can't sensibly and sensitively have discussions with individuals.

I was asked—I think by the member for Flinders, although I would have to check the record—whether or not I was prepared to have a private conversation with a family member. I said I was, and I contacted the family member. It was at my instigation; that is, the telephone call. It may have been that there was a request by the member for Flinders whether I was prepared to have a direct telephone conversation with the family member, and I said I was more than happy to—and I did so. If the family member wants to place on the record their version of a private conversation—

The Hon. C. Bonaros: I'm asking you to place it on the record.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: As I said, if they want to then I am quite happy to respond to it, but I'm not going to place on the public record a private conversation about a very sensitive issue that I had with a family member. I have no concerns about responding to it. The Hon. Ms Bonaros wasn't privy to that conversation at all and I was, and I have no problems at all in terms of ultimately responding to that.

The Hon. C. Bonaros interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! I am going to continue. The Hon. Mr Ngo.