Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-09-25 Daily Xml

Contents

RIVERSIDE GOLF CLUB

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:46): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Urban Development and Planning questions about the truss committee.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: On 6 June 2006—

The PRESIDENT: You'll lose your mojo, Mr Ridgway.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Mr President, unlike the state under this government, I have not lost my mojo. On 6 June 2006, the minister, in response to a question from the Hon. Bernard Finnigan in relation to the roof collapse at the Riverside Golf Club, indicated that he was setting up a particular committee. He said:

Key industry bodies such as the Master Builders Association and the Housing Industry Association and industry participants such as truss nail plate manufacturers have recently supported the establishment of a ministerial task force and consider that it would be appropriate for it to be chaired by a member of my ministerial office who is an accredited building surveyor.

Does the minister now agree that he misled this council?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (14:47): I am certainly not prepared to accept that at this stage.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: You said it.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Well, the thing is, are you saying that he wasn't at that time? As has been made clear, my staff member has considerable experience in the building industry and he has had qualifications in the past. Whether or not he is currently paid up is irrelevant in relation to experience.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: I have an engineering degree but I have not been a member of the Institute of Engineers for some years. That does not mean that I have forgotten all the engineering that I have learnt.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! I will do the surveying over this council.