Legislative Council: Thursday, February 22, 2024

Contents

O'Hanlon, Ms C.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:21): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney-General a question concerning Cressida O'Hanlon and accountability.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Parliamentary records show that Ms Cressida O'Hanlon was working for a member of this council on 7 February 2023. It has also been revealed that on that same day Ms O'Hanlon received an email from her husband, James O'Hanlon, asking her to arrange a meeting with the minister or Chief of Staff to discuss securing taxpayer funds for Mr O'Hanlon's business, Citadel Secure. My questions to the Attorney-General are:

1. Can the Attorney-General confirm if Ms Cressida O'Hanlon was working for a member of parliament on Tuesday 7 February 2023?

2. Did Ms Cressida O'Hanlon speak with any parliamentary member concerning her husband's desire to meet with a minister or Chief of Staff to secure funding for his business?

3. Does the Attorney-General agree that it is entirely inappropriate for a member's parliamentary staffer to use their privileged position to access meetings with ministers or senior staff for personal gain?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:23): I thank the honourable member for her question. Unfortunately, there seems to be not a single thing in any part of that question that has anything to do with my ministerial responsibilities to this chamber.

The PRESIDENT: The honourable Leader of the Opposition, your third question?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! I just want to listen to the question, please.