Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:04): Supplementary question: I just want to get clarification from the minister that there was no plan by the Malinauskas Labor government to continue beyond six months and this was just negotiation.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Point of order, Mr President: my understanding was that we should not be having run-on questions as supplementaries. They should relate to the original answer the minister gave.

The PRESIDENT: In response to the Hon. Mr Hunter's point of order, the minister gave a pretty broad and wideranging answer and I do feel that the supplementary question was certainly appropriate.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Attorney-General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:05): I think I have answered. We are grateful that Dr Thomas has agreed to stay on to help the new government with its initial priorities for an extra six months, and certainly during that period we, as the government and certainly myself as the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, will talk to Dr Thomas about what contribution may best suit Dr Thomas and the government. Dr Thomas has provided an extraordinary level of service to this state in his long time, five or six years, as the Commissioner for Treaty and the Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Wade, do you have a final supplementary question?

The Hon. S.G. WADE: Yes, it may well be final, sir.

The PRESIDENT: It may well be.