Legislative Council, Wednesday 19 June 2024

Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, I am frustrated again to have to rise to ask for an answer to a question that's been providing good faith some weeks ago now. This relates to matters regarding the report being prepared by Saul Eslake as part of the agreement between the Premier and parliamentary members of the Jacqui Lambie Network. I will read this question because then I have a number of questions on these similar matters related to this particular project, Macquarie Point, for example, on the Notice Paper, because they are much more complicated and I accept that.

I cannot see how these which should be known already cannot be answered. The questions are with regard to the contract with economist, Saul Eslake provide a report on the state's finances further to an agreement between the premier and parliamentary members of the Jacqui Lambie Network:

1. who are the parties to the contract? The contract exists, that must be known.

2. To whom will the report be provided? Surely, that is an agreed part of the arrangement?

3. When will the report be provided? That may not be a definitive date, but some guidance on that and subject to the answer to two, to whom will the report be released publicly?

I would have thought this has already been determined in the agreement that was struck. Will the report be tabled in parliament? Will the government respond to any issues raised or recommendations made and how will the government respond?

That is a pretty simple set of questions related to a very specific question. It is very frustrating that we are doing good faith here, put our questions through that are complicated and required maybe more than one portfolio minister to answer, on the notice paper. I know the Leader makes every effort. It is not a criticism of the Leader, it is the criticism of the system behind, that appears to be ignoring this question.

It is a matter of great public interest and I find it insulting that I have had to get up twice now on adjournment to ask for an answer to a pretty straightforward question. The answer should be known and not have to be hunted around for. I am frustrated and I am going to ask the Leader if she can follow this up because if I do not get an answer tomorrow, where are we? On the winter break. We have had two sitting weeks. I have worked really hard to make sure the questions I want answered. I would like them all answered actually, on the notice paper as well, but I am realistic about that.

This one is disrespectful not to have an answer before the winter break.