Data Harvesting

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:22): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the minister for the public sector regarding corruption, maladministration or misconduct by the Premier.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Today, the Ombudsman revealed concerns that he had referred matters of potential corruption, maladministration or misconduct about the misuse of data in the Premier's office and the Liberal Party to the Office for Public Integrity. Previously in this place, the Treasurer has said:

It is certainly my belief that most things that go on within a minister's department, either they know about it or they are negligent if they don't know about it...

My question to the minister is: as the minister for the public sector with responsibility for the conduct of the public sector, exactly when was the minister first aware of this investigation by the Ombudsman and the referral to the Office for Public Integrity, and exactly what discussions has the minister had with the Premier or anyone from his office either before the startling revelations today or afterwards about this matter?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:24): I became aware of the issue when it was publicised as a result of the evidence taken, evidently, in a parliamentary committee this morning. That was my first knowledge.