Questions without notice and ministers statements
Member conduct
John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:01): My question is to the Assistant Treasurer. Did the Assistant Treasurer sign an approval brief authorising DTF to enter into a new telecommunications lease with Telstra for 1 Macarthur Street and 1 Treasury Place?
Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Government Services, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Consumer Affairs) (14:02): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question, and as I have indicated I have always acted appropriately, I have always declared my interests and –
James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, if I can refer you to standing order 58(1)(a), the minister was asked a very particular question about whether he signed the brief and I would ask you to refer him back directly to that question.
The SPEAKER: I cannot direct the minister how to respond to the question.
Danny PEARSON: As I have said, I have always declared my interests and I have always acted appropriately, and I refer the Leader of the Opposition to my previous answers on these matters.
John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): Did the Assistant Treasurer hold Telstra shares at the time he signed this brief to approve a lease with Telstra?
Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Government Services, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Consumer Affairs) (14:03): I refer the Leader of the Opposition to my previous responses.