Questions without notice and ministers statements
Member conduct
Ms STALEY (Ripon) (14:01): My question is to the Premier. How many times has the Premier been interviewed by the anti-corruption commission?
Mr ANDREWS (Mulgrave—Premier) (14:02): I thank the member for Ripon for her question. And here was I thinking that there would be another case study that would not be handed over to get fixed. Here was I thinking it might be a political question. Well, here we go. If the member for Ripon wants to know about any investigation being conducted by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission or any other integrity agency then she can direct those questions to that agency. The agency have been asked similar questions, and not even they will comment on or answer these questions, so why would I? How would it be appropriate for me to answer any questions about any matter that is ongoing? Fundamentally inappropriate—something I suspect that even the member for Ripon knows, but that does not suit the political stunts that we know her to be all about.
Ms STALEY (Ripon) (14:03): Given that the IBAC Commissioner, Robert Redlich, has stated that letters have been sent to several of those interviewed as part of Operation Richmond informing them that they are not bound by confidentiality obligations, has the Premier received this letter from IBAC?
Mr ANDREWS (Mulgrave—Premier) (14:03): Again, I am not certain that the member for Ripon was listening to my answer to her substantive question. Let me make it very clear: if the member for Ripon wants to know whom IBAC has spoken to or whom IBAC has written to—and the same goes for all of our integrity agencies—then she should best direct those queries to that agency. This is not a new position, it is one I have held for a very long time. I do not comment on or cut across active matters. That is fundamentally inappropriate. That might be something that others are very keen to do. That is not the way that I operate, nor does any member of my government operate that way. If you want to know who they have been writing to, ask them.
Ms Staley: On a point of order, Deputy Speaker, my question was about the fact that, on relevance, the Premier is required under sessional order—
A member: Which one?
Ms Staley: Under sessional order 11, to the genius who just wanted to know.
Members interjecting.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Ripon, what is your point of order?
Ms Staley: Answers to questions must be direct, factual and succinct. The Premier, I contend, is breaching that sessional order by not being factual. The commissioner from IBAC has said that he can answer that.
Members interjecting.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The house will come to order, and I will remove members without warning. Has the Premier concluded his answer?
Mr ANDREWS: I have.