Mr STIRLING - 1999-02-24
I remind the minister that, some 2 weeks after I’ve written to him and a week after I asked a question in the House last week about the 1996-97 annual reports, he has still failed to answer. But, by law, he’s also required to table a copy of the annual reports of the TAB and the Racing and Gaming Commission by October of last year. These reports have not been tabled. Why has the minister failed yet again?
ANSWER
This is typical of the opposition. Can I just clear up the matter of the letter? The letter was posted to the member for Nhulunbuy on Monday of this week.
Mr Stirling: I’m sitting in here, brother. Why didn’t you just drop it on my desk?
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr BALDWIN: Let’s get this right. The member for Nhulunbuy wrote to me, okay? This is a letter to me as the minister. Does he want me to come and give it to him ...
Mr Stirling interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Stirling interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr BALDWIN: One week after he posted a letter to me, I’ve posted one back to him. What’s his problem?
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! Does the member for Nhulunbuy wish to have an answer to the question that he asked?
Mr Stirling: This is not one, quite clearly.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr BALDWIN: I can give the whole answer if he wants it. It’s pretty boring stuff, but I have it here. The fact is, he’s had the answer. I know he lives in Darwin most of the time and his office is in Nhulunbuy. The letter has probably gone to Nhulunbuy because that’s where your electorate is. But if your staff can’t keep you up with the information that you require, it’s your problem, not mine.
A fulsome answer has been sent to him. As far as the 1998 report goes, it’s my latest information that, as per procedure, it will be tabled in parliament during this sittings.
Mr Stirling: It should have been October last year.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
ANSWER
This is typical of the opposition. Can I just clear up the matter of the letter? The letter was posted to the member for Nhulunbuy on Monday of this week.
Mr Stirling: I’m sitting in here, brother. Why didn’t you just drop it on my desk?
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr BALDWIN: Let’s get this right. The member for Nhulunbuy wrote to me, okay? This is a letter to me as the minister. Does he want me to come and give it to him ...
Mr Stirling interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Stirling interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr BALDWIN: One week after he posted a letter to me, I’ve posted one back to him. What’s his problem?
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! Does the member for Nhulunbuy wish to have an answer to the question that he asked?
Mr Stirling: This is not one, quite clearly.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr BALDWIN: I can give the whole answer if he wants it. It’s pretty boring stuff, but I have it here. The fact is, he’s had the answer. I know he lives in Darwin most of the time and his office is in Nhulunbuy. The letter has probably gone to Nhulunbuy because that’s where your electorate is. But if your staff can’t keep you up with the information that you require, it’s your problem, not mine.
A fulsome answer has been sent to him. As far as the 1998 report goes, it’s my latest information that, as per procedure, it will be tabled in parliament during this sittings.
Mr Stirling: It should have been October last year.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016