Country Cabinet

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:30): Supplementary arising from the original answer: is the minister one of the ministers who is actually publicly allowed to speak at the forums, or is she one of the muzzled ministers who has to allow the Premier to do a TED talk with the microphone for an hour and a half?

The PRESIDENT: I never heard anything about muzzled ministers, but if you want to answer it you may, minister.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:30): I know it is very rare for those opposite to actually attend country cabinet because they don't support country cabinets and given that country cabinet is open to all members of the public, I am not quite sure why those opposite think somehow, they are excluded. Clearly, they are acknowledging that they are not part of country communities. That would appear to be the only logical outcome from their statements.

I think it is fair to say that all ministers have the opportunity to speak at the forum but, more importantly, residents have a chance to speak at these forums. This is an open forum. This is unscripted. Residents can come up to the microphone. They can ask questions about anything, and the reason why? Because we are keen to hear their views. Those opposite either didn't care or were too scared they might be asked something uncomfortable that they would never participate in something similar.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Ms Lensink!