❓ Mr. Hyde questions the Minister for Tourism regarding WA's lack of involvement in the Oprah Winfrey visit deal, while the Minister deflects blame to Tourism Australia, citing communication issues and confidentiality.
AnsweredQoN 511Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA — OPRAH WINFREY VISIT
I refer to the minister’s somewhat — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr J.N. HYDE : I refer to the minister’s somewhat invisible role as Minister for Tourism. (1) Can the minister explain — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, member. Some people in this place may not want to hear the question. I want to hear the question. Mr J.N. HYDE : I continue — (1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE
I refer to the minister’s somewhat — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr J.N. HYDE : I refer to the minister’s somewhat invisible role as Minister for Tourism. (1) Can the minister explain — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, member. Some people in this place may not want to hear the question. I want to hear the question. Mr J.N. HYDE : I continue — (1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr J.N. HYDE : I refer to the minister’s somewhat invisible role as Minister for Tourism. (1) Can the minister explain — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, member. Some people in this place may not want to hear the question. I want to hear the question. Mr J.N. HYDE : I continue — (1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr J.N. HYDE : I refer to the minister’s somewhat invisible role as Minister for Tourism. (1) Can the minister explain — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, member. Some people in this place may not want to hear the question. I want to hear the question. Mr J.N. HYDE : I continue — (1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Mr J.N. HYDE : I refer to the minister’s somewhat invisible role as Minister for Tourism. (1) Can the minister explain — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, member. Some people in this place may not want to hear the question. I want to hear the question. Mr J.N. HYDE : I continue — (1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
(1) Can the minister explain — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, member. Some people in this place may not want to hear the question. I want to hear the question. Mr J.N. HYDE : I continue — (1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, member. Some people in this place may not want to hear the question. I want to hear the question. Mr J.N. HYDE : I continue — (1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, member. Some people in this place may not want to hear the question. I want to hear the question. Mr J.N. HYDE : I continue — (1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Mr J.N. HYDE : I continue — (1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
(1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
(2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
(3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
(4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
(1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr J.N. HYDE : I refer to the minister’s somewhat invisible role as Minister for Tourism. (1) Can the minister explain — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, member. Some people in this place may not want to hear the question. I want to hear the question. Mr J.N. HYDE : I continue — (1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr J.N. HYDE : I refer to the minister’s somewhat invisible role as Minister for Tourism. (1) Can the minister explain — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, member. Some people in this place may not want to hear the question. I want to hear the question. Mr J.N. HYDE : I continue — (1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Mr J.N. HYDE : I refer to the minister’s somewhat invisible role as Minister for Tourism. (1) Can the minister explain — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, member. Some people in this place may not want to hear the question. I want to hear the question. Mr J.N. HYDE : I continue — (1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
(1) Can the minister explain — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, member. Some people in this place may not want to hear the question. I want to hear the question. Mr J.N. HYDE : I continue — (1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, member. Some people in this place may not want to hear the question. I want to hear the question. Mr J.N. HYDE : I continue — (1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, member. Some people in this place may not want to hear the question. I want to hear the question. Mr J.N. HYDE : I continue — (1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Mr J.N. HYDE : I continue — (1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
(1) Can the minister explain why New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all knew about Oprah Winfrey’s visit to Australia and are now all partners in a deal that the minister knew nothing about? (2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
(2) Why was Kate Lamont again pushed out into the media to deal with the Oprah Winfrey issue and not the minister? (3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
(3) Why is the minister so often missing in action? (4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
(4) Will the minister finally take responsibility for being asleep at the wheel while other states have capitalised on Oprah’s planned visit to Australia? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
(1)–(4) This issue of the Oprah Winfrey Show coming to Australia was made known to Tourism Western Australia only the night before it was announced in The West Australian . I have spoken to the federal minister, Martin Ferguson, about this today and expressed my disgust with the way that Tourism Australia has handled this situation. The federal minister has assured me that all jurisdictions—do not forget that Tasmania and the Northern Territory were treated in exactly the same way as Western Australia — Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Mr J.N. Hyde : The other three states knew about it. They were ahead of the game. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : The answer to this question and the problem lies with the actions of Tourism Australia and the way it handled the matter. I have spoken to Minister Ferguson today and have had other messages from his office. I am assured that all states and territories will have an opportunity to be part of the promotional aspects of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Tourism Western Australia is working extremely hard to be part of that — Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Mr J.N. Hyde : Why has Sydney put up $1 million? Not to give them something here—they were ahead of the game — The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
The SPEAKER : Member! Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : We had to ask the CEO and executive of Tourism Australia about how — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : Those members need to ask Tourism Australia, as I have through its minister. Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Mr J.N. Hyde : You have got someone sitting on the board. WA is represented. Why aren’t you liaising? The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
The SPEAKER : Member for Perth! Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : When anyone sits on the board of any organisation such as that, that person is bound by confidentiality. I respect the fact that Ms Lamont was bound by confidentiality. It was up to the executive and the CEO of Tourism Australia to contact every jurisdiction and involve them in a tourism promotion that Tourism Australia is spending money on.
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