Tuesday, 16 May 2023

Written responses

The PRESIDENT (13:32): Minister Stitt is to get information, in line with the standing orders, for Ms Tyrrell’s substantive question. Minister Erdogan, thank you for getting further information for Ms Payne’s substantive and supplementary in line with the standing orders.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, just with respect to my questions – and I will take them one at a time – the first substantive question was a simple question: was it your office that was asked for approval on 7 February? The minister actually did not answer that. She answered in sort of a circular way but did not actually answer the substance of the simple question.

The PRESIDENT: I believe she did answer in terms of where she saw her responsibilities, but I am happy to review it and get back to the house later this day.

David Davis: Thank you, President. Question 2 was a very simple question about the removing of a reference to Mr Wimbush’s resignation. I actually quoted the exact words that were removed, but the minister did not say whether it was her office or not that removed those words, and in consequence she simply did not answer the direct question.

The PRESIDENT: I am happy to review that as well. My understanding in real time was that the minister said it was not within her responsibility, it was within Melbourne Water’s responsibility. But I will review that as well, Mr Davis.

David Davis: Just further to that, in reviewing that, President, I will make available to you material that shows that, in my view, the minister’s office was involved, and to that extent –

The PRESIDENT: Mr Davis, if I require further information, I will ask for it, but I have got to go by what is in Hansard, on the record, when I am reviewing the answers and questions.

David Davis: Thank you, President. The third question was a simple question about the independent probity adviser’s advice about Mr Wimbush’s conflict of interest and why it was not released. The minister says that this is independent from her, but it is an entity within her portfolio responsibility under the administrative orders. Whether she made the decision herself or not is a separate point, but the fact is it is, in the administrative orders, in her responsibility. She can find the answer. I understand she might not know it now, although I suspect she does, but if she does not, she can actually find it and consequently answer the question.

The PRESIDENT: Once again, I do not want to be asked to review every question every question time, but I am happy to review Hansard. I believe the minister in real time, as far as I can remember, said that it was not advice to her at the time. But I commit to reviewing those questions.