❓ Question regarding the Minister's absence from the Australian Tourism Exchange and a comparison to the previous minister's attendance record. The Minister defends his absence and criticizes his predecessor.
AnsweredQoN 102Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
AUSTRALIAN TOURISM EXCHANGE, ATTENDANCE BY MINISTER
Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition criticised the establishment of the portfolio of the Minister for State Development and Tourism. He claimed that the minister’s absence from the 2001 Australian Tourism Exchange highlighted its deficiencies. (1) What is the Australian Tourism Exchange? (2) Why did the minister not attend the meeting? Mr BROWN
Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition criticised the establishment of the portfolio of the Minister for State Development and Tourism. He claimed that the minister’s absence from the 2001 Australian Tourism Exchange highlighted its deficiencies. (1) What is the Australian Tourism Exchange? (2) Why did the minister not attend the meeting? Mr BROWN
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Australian Tourism Exchange is Australia’s premier tourism trade event and is organised by the Australian Tourist Commission with assistance from each state tourism organisation. ATE provides a forum for Australian tourism businesses to showcase their product, meet overseas contacts and negotiate business deals. It is not a travel show for the public, it is an event for the travel trade involving Australian tourism businesses and international travel buyers or companies. Representatives from the WA Tourism Commission's international marketing division attend the event each year and focus on business with our core overseas markets of the United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. It is the biggest single event in the tourism industry. It is true that I did not attend the event on Monday of this week. I did not attend because Monday was the day on which the finance documents for the convention centre - for which I am responsible minister - were to be delivered to the State. It was important for me to remain in Western Australia to receive the documents and to comment on them at the time. Given that this is the test of what a Minister for Tourism should be, I take the opportunity to reflect on what the previous minister did. This is the test of whether one is a good Minister for Tourism. I took the opportunity to seek advice on what the previous Minister for Tourism had done. The information provided to me reveals that one of these exchanges was held in 2000; but where was the Minister for Tourism? He was not under the counter; they could not find him! They looked for him everywhere, “Where are you, minister?” He was not there! They looked in 1999 - they looked for him here, they looked for him there, they looked for him everywhere, but they could not find him! He was missing. He was still drawing a salary at the time and he was still breathing - I think! Again in 1998 - where was he? Was there too much in the diary or did he forget about it? He missed the event three years in a row! The Leader of the Opposition says that it is a portfolio problem. Let us look at the huge workload of the former Minister for Tourism. I do not know what he did after Tuesday of each week. I am not sure what he actually did. This is the bar that has been set for the portfolio. The Leader of the Opposition says there is an overload in the portfolio, but he does not bother to check or do his research to see whether, when he was at the helm, his own minister was discharging his obligations. Mr Barnett: Did you present a paper in Korea? Mr BROWN: No; I did not present a paper. Mr Barnett: Why did you go? The SPEAKER: The answer to this question has occupied too much time. Although entertaining, the House needs to get through more questions. As a result, I will extend question time today by five minutes. I would appreciate the minister finishing his answer. Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
(1) What is the Australian Tourism Exchange? (2) Why did the minister not attend the meeting? Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Australian Tourism Exchange is Australia’s premier tourism trade event and is organised by the Australian Tourist Commission with assistance from each state tourism organisation. ATE provides a forum for Australian tourism businesses to showcase their product, meet overseas contacts and negotiate business deals. It is not a travel show for the public, it is an event for the travel trade involving Australian tourism businesses and international travel buyers or companies. Representatives from the WA Tourism Commission's international marketing division attend the event each year and focus on business with our core overseas markets of the United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. It is the biggest single event in the tourism industry. It is true that I did not attend the event on Monday of this week. I did not attend because Monday was the day on which the finance documents for the convention centre - for which I am responsible minister - were to be delivered to the State. It was important for me to remain in Western Australia to receive the documents and to comment on them at the time. Given that this is the test of what a Minister for Tourism should be, I take the opportunity to reflect on what the previous minister did. This is the test of whether one is a good Minister for Tourism. I took the opportunity to seek advice on what the previous Minister for Tourism had done. The information provided to me reveals that one of these exchanges was held in 2000; but where was the Minister for Tourism? He was not under the counter; they could not find him! They looked for him everywhere, “Where are you, minister?” He was not there! They looked in 1999 - they looked for him here, they looked for him there, they looked for him everywhere, but they could not find him! He was missing. He was still drawing a salary at the time and he was still breathing - I think! Again in 1998 - where was he? Was there too much in the diary or did he forget about it? He missed the event three years in a row! The Leader of the Opposition says that it is a portfolio problem. Let us look at the huge workload of the former Minister for Tourism. I do not know what he did after Tuesday of each week. I am not sure what he actually did. This is the bar that has been set for the portfolio. The Leader of the Opposition says there is an overload in the portfolio, but he does not bother to check or do his research to see whether, when he was at the helm, his own minister was discharging his obligations. Mr Barnett: Did you present a paper in Korea? Mr BROWN: No; I did not present a paper. Mr Barnett: Why did you go? The SPEAKER: The answer to this question has occupied too much time. Although entertaining, the House needs to get through more questions. As a result, I will extend question time today by five minutes. I would appreciate the minister finishing his answer. Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
(2) Why did the minister not attend the meeting? Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Australian Tourism Exchange is Australia’s premier tourism trade event and is organised by the Australian Tourist Commission with assistance from each state tourism organisation. ATE provides a forum for Australian tourism businesses to showcase their product, meet overseas contacts and negotiate business deals. It is not a travel show for the public, it is an event for the travel trade involving Australian tourism businesses and international travel buyers or companies. Representatives from the WA Tourism Commission's international marketing division attend the event each year and focus on business with our core overseas markets of the United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. It is the biggest single event in the tourism industry. It is true that I did not attend the event on Monday of this week. I did not attend because Monday was the day on which the finance documents for the convention centre - for which I am responsible minister - were to be delivered to the State. It was important for me to remain in Western Australia to receive the documents and to comment on them at the time. Given that this is the test of what a Minister for Tourism should be, I take the opportunity to reflect on what the previous minister did. This is the test of whether one is a good Minister for Tourism. I took the opportunity to seek advice on what the previous Minister for Tourism had done. The information provided to me reveals that one of these exchanges was held in 2000; but where was the Minister for Tourism? He was not under the counter; they could not find him! They looked for him everywhere, “Where are you, minister?” He was not there! They looked in 1999 - they looked for him here, they looked for him there, they looked for him everywhere, but they could not find him! He was missing. He was still drawing a salary at the time and he was still breathing - I think! Again in 1998 - where was he? Was there too much in the diary or did he forget about it? He missed the event three years in a row! The Leader of the Opposition says that it is a portfolio problem. Let us look at the huge workload of the former Minister for Tourism. I do not know what he did after Tuesday of each week. I am not sure what he actually did. This is the bar that has been set for the portfolio. The Leader of the Opposition says there is an overload in the portfolio, but he does not bother to check or do his research to see whether, when he was at the helm, his own minister was discharging his obligations. Mr Barnett: Did you present a paper in Korea? Mr BROWN: No; I did not present a paper. Mr Barnett: Why did you go? The SPEAKER: The answer to this question has occupied too much time. Although entertaining, the House needs to get through more questions. As a result, I will extend question time today by five minutes. I would appreciate the minister finishing his answer. Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Australian Tourism Exchange is Australia’s premier tourism trade event and is organised by the Australian Tourist Commission with assistance from each state tourism organisation. ATE provides a forum for Australian tourism businesses to showcase their product, meet overseas contacts and negotiate business deals. It is not a travel show for the public, it is an event for the travel trade involving Australian tourism businesses and international travel buyers or companies. Representatives from the WA Tourism Commission's international marketing division attend the event each year and focus on business with our core overseas markets of the United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. It is the biggest single event in the tourism industry. It is true that I did not attend the event on Monday of this week. I did not attend because Monday was the day on which the finance documents for the convention centre - for which I am responsible minister - were to be delivered to the State. It was important for me to remain in Western Australia to receive the documents and to comment on them at the time. Given that this is the test of what a Minister for Tourism should be, I take the opportunity to reflect on what the previous minister did. This is the test of whether one is a good Minister for Tourism. I took the opportunity to seek advice on what the previous Minister for Tourism had done. The information provided to me reveals that one of these exchanges was held in 2000; but where was the Minister for Tourism? He was not under the counter; they could not find him! They looked for him everywhere, “Where are you, minister?” He was not there! They looked in 1999 - they looked for him here, they looked for him there, they looked for him everywhere, but they could not find him! He was missing. He was still drawing a salary at the time and he was still breathing - I think! Again in 1998 - where was he? Was there too much in the diary or did he forget about it? He missed the event three years in a row! The Leader of the Opposition says that it is a portfolio problem. Let us look at the huge workload of the former Minister for Tourism. I do not know what he did after Tuesday of each week. I am not sure what he actually did. This is the bar that has been set for the portfolio. The Leader of the Opposition says there is an overload in the portfolio, but he does not bother to check or do his research to see whether, when he was at the helm, his own minister was discharging his obligations. Mr Barnett: Did you present a paper in Korea? Mr BROWN: No; I did not present a paper. Mr Barnett: Why did you go? The SPEAKER: The answer to this question has occupied too much time. Although entertaining, the House needs to get through more questions. As a result, I will extend question time today by five minutes. I would appreciate the minister finishing his answer. Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
(1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Australian Tourism Exchange is Australia’s premier tourism trade event and is organised by the Australian Tourist Commission with assistance from each state tourism organisation. ATE provides a forum for Australian tourism businesses to showcase their product, meet overseas contacts and negotiate business deals. It is not a travel show for the public, it is an event for the travel trade involving Australian tourism businesses and international travel buyers or companies. Representatives from the WA Tourism Commission's international marketing division attend the event each year and focus on business with our core overseas markets of the United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. It is the biggest single event in the tourism industry. It is true that I did not attend the event on Monday of this week. I did not attend because Monday was the day on which the finance documents for the convention centre - for which I am responsible minister - were to be delivered to the State. It was important for me to remain in Western Australia to receive the documents and to comment on them at the time. Given that this is the test of what a Minister for Tourism should be, I take the opportunity to reflect on what the previous minister did. This is the test of whether one is a good Minister for Tourism. I took the opportunity to seek advice on what the previous Minister for Tourism had done. The information provided to me reveals that one of these exchanges was held in 2000; but where was the Minister for Tourism? He was not under the counter; they could not find him! They looked for him everywhere, “Where are you, minister?” He was not there! They looked in 1999 - they looked for him here, they looked for him there, they looked for him everywhere, but they could not find him! He was missing. He was still drawing a salary at the time and he was still breathing - I think! Again in 1998 - where was he? Was there too much in the diary or did he forget about it? He missed the event three years in a row! The Leader of the Opposition says that it is a portfolio problem. Let us look at the huge workload of the former Minister for Tourism. I do not know what he did after Tuesday of each week. I am not sure what he actually did. This is the bar that has been set for the portfolio. The Leader of the Opposition says there is an overload in the portfolio, but he does not bother to check or do his research to see whether, when he was at the helm, his own minister was discharging his obligations. Mr Barnett: Did you present a paper in Korea? Mr BROWN: No; I did not present a paper. Mr Barnett: Why did you go? The SPEAKER: The answer to this question has occupied too much time. Although entertaining, the House needs to get through more questions. As a result, I will extend question time today by five minutes. I would appreciate the minister finishing his answer. Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
Given that this is the test of what a Minister for Tourism should be, I take the opportunity to reflect on what the previous minister did. This is the test of whether one is a good Minister for Tourism. I took the opportunity to seek advice on what the previous Minister for Tourism had done. The information provided to me reveals that one of these exchanges was held in 2000; but where was the Minister for Tourism? He was not under the counter; they could not find him! They looked for him everywhere, “Where are you, minister?” He was not there! They looked in 1999 - they looked for him here, they looked for him there, they looked for him everywhere, but they could not find him! He was missing. He was still drawing a salary at the time and he was still breathing - I think! Again in 1998 - where was he? Was there too much in the diary or did he forget about it? He missed the event three years in a row! The Leader of the Opposition says that it is a portfolio problem. Let us look at the huge workload of the former Minister for Tourism. I do not know what he did after Tuesday of each week. I am not sure what he actually did. This is the bar that has been set for the portfolio. The Leader of the Opposition says there is an overload in the portfolio, but he does not bother to check or do his research to see whether, when he was at the helm, his own minister was discharging his obligations.
Mr BROWN: No; I did not present a paper. Mr Barnett: Why did you go? The SPEAKER: The answer to this question has occupied too much time. Although entertaining, the House needs to get through more questions. As a result, I will extend question time today by five minutes. I would appreciate the minister finishing his answer. Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
Mr Barnett: Why did you go? The SPEAKER: The answer to this question has occupied too much time. Although entertaining, the House needs to get through more questions. As a result, I will extend question time today by five minutes. I would appreciate the minister finishing his answer. Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
The SPEAKER: The answer to this question has occupied too much time. Although entertaining, the House needs to get through more questions. As a result, I will extend question time today by five minutes. I would appreciate the minister finishing his answer. Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
(1) What is the Australian Tourism Exchange? (2) Why did the minister not attend the meeting? Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Australian Tourism Exchange is Australia’s premier tourism trade event and is organised by the Australian Tourist Commission with assistance from each state tourism organisation. ATE provides a forum for Australian tourism businesses to showcase their product, meet overseas contacts and negotiate business deals. It is not a travel show for the public, it is an event for the travel trade involving Australian tourism businesses and international travel buyers or companies. Representatives from the WA Tourism Commission's international marketing division attend the event each year and focus on business with our core overseas markets of the United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. It is the biggest single event in the tourism industry. It is true that I did not attend the event on Monday of this week. I did not attend because Monday was the day on which the finance documents for the convention centre - for which I am responsible minister - were to be delivered to the State. It was important for me to remain in Western Australia to receive the documents and to comment on them at the time. Given that this is the test of what a Minister for Tourism should be, I take the opportunity to reflect on what the previous minister did. This is the test of whether one is a good Minister for Tourism. I took the opportunity to seek advice on what the previous Minister for Tourism had done. The information provided to me reveals that one of these exchanges was held in 2000; but where was the Minister for Tourism? He was not under the counter; they could not find him! They looked for him everywhere, “Where are you, minister?” He was not there! They looked in 1999 - they looked for him here, they looked for him there, they looked for him everywhere, but they could not find him! He was missing. He was still drawing a salary at the time and he was still breathing - I think! Again in 1998 - where was he? Was there too much in the diary or did he forget about it? He missed the event three years in a row! The Leader of the Opposition says that it is a portfolio problem. Let us look at the huge workload of the former Minister for Tourism. I do not know what he did after Tuesday of each week. I am not sure what he actually did. This is the bar that has been set for the portfolio. The Leader of the Opposition says there is an overload in the portfolio, but he does not bother to check or do his research to see whether, when he was at the helm, his own minister was discharging his obligations. Mr Barnett: Did you present a paper in Korea? Mr BROWN: No; I did not present a paper. Mr Barnett: Why did you go? The SPEAKER: The answer to this question has occupied too much time. Although entertaining, the House needs to get through more questions. As a result, I will extend question time today by five minutes. I would appreciate the minister finishing his answer. Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
(2) Why did the minister not attend the meeting? Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Australian Tourism Exchange is Australia’s premier tourism trade event and is organised by the Australian Tourist Commission with assistance from each state tourism organisation. ATE provides a forum for Australian tourism businesses to showcase their product, meet overseas contacts and negotiate business deals. It is not a travel show for the public, it is an event for the travel trade involving Australian tourism businesses and international travel buyers or companies. Representatives from the WA Tourism Commission's international marketing division attend the event each year and focus on business with our core overseas markets of the United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. It is the biggest single event in the tourism industry. It is true that I did not attend the event on Monday of this week. I did not attend because Monday was the day on which the finance documents for the convention centre - for which I am responsible minister - were to be delivered to the State. It was important for me to remain in Western Australia to receive the documents and to comment on them at the time. Given that this is the test of what a Minister for Tourism should be, I take the opportunity to reflect on what the previous minister did. This is the test of whether one is a good Minister for Tourism. I took the opportunity to seek advice on what the previous Minister for Tourism had done. The information provided to me reveals that one of these exchanges was held in 2000; but where was the Minister for Tourism? He was not under the counter; they could not find him! They looked for him everywhere, “Where are you, minister?” He was not there! They looked in 1999 - they looked for him here, they looked for him there, they looked for him everywhere, but they could not find him! He was missing. He was still drawing a salary at the time and he was still breathing - I think! Again in 1998 - where was he? Was there too much in the diary or did he forget about it? He missed the event three years in a row! The Leader of the Opposition says that it is a portfolio problem. Let us look at the huge workload of the former Minister for Tourism. I do not know what he did after Tuesday of each week. I am not sure what he actually did. This is the bar that has been set for the portfolio. The Leader of the Opposition says there is an overload in the portfolio, but he does not bother to check or do his research to see whether, when he was at the helm, his own minister was discharging his obligations. Mr Barnett: Did you present a paper in Korea? Mr BROWN: No; I did not present a paper. Mr Barnett: Why did you go? The SPEAKER: The answer to this question has occupied too much time. Although entertaining, the House needs to get through more questions. As a result, I will extend question time today by five minutes. I would appreciate the minister finishing his answer. Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Australian Tourism Exchange is Australia’s premier tourism trade event and is organised by the Australian Tourist Commission with assistance from each state tourism organisation. ATE provides a forum for Australian tourism businesses to showcase their product, meet overseas contacts and negotiate business deals. It is not a travel show for the public, it is an event for the travel trade involving Australian tourism businesses and international travel buyers or companies. Representatives from the WA Tourism Commission's international marketing division attend the event each year and focus on business with our core overseas markets of the United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. It is the biggest single event in the tourism industry. It is true that I did not attend the event on Monday of this week. I did not attend because Monday was the day on which the finance documents for the convention centre - for which I am responsible minister - were to be delivered to the State. It was important for me to remain in Western Australia to receive the documents and to comment on them at the time. Given that this is the test of what a Minister for Tourism should be, I take the opportunity to reflect on what the previous minister did. This is the test of whether one is a good Minister for Tourism. I took the opportunity to seek advice on what the previous Minister for Tourism had done. The information provided to me reveals that one of these exchanges was held in 2000; but where was the Minister for Tourism? He was not under the counter; they could not find him! They looked for him everywhere, “Where are you, minister?” He was not there! They looked in 1999 - they looked for him here, they looked for him there, they looked for him everywhere, but they could not find him! He was missing. He was still drawing a salary at the time and he was still breathing - I think! Again in 1998 - where was he? Was there too much in the diary or did he forget about it? He missed the event three years in a row! The Leader of the Opposition says that it is a portfolio problem. Let us look at the huge workload of the former Minister for Tourism. I do not know what he did after Tuesday of each week. I am not sure what he actually did. This is the bar that has been set for the portfolio. The Leader of the Opposition says there is an overload in the portfolio, but he does not bother to check or do his research to see whether, when he was at the helm, his own minister was discharging his obligations. Mr Barnett: Did you present a paper in Korea? Mr BROWN: No; I did not present a paper. Mr Barnett: Why did you go? The SPEAKER: The answer to this question has occupied too much time. Although entertaining, the House needs to get through more questions. As a result, I will extend question time today by five minutes. I would appreciate the minister finishing his answer. Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
(1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Australian Tourism Exchange is Australia’s premier tourism trade event and is organised by the Australian Tourist Commission with assistance from each state tourism organisation. ATE provides a forum for Australian tourism businesses to showcase their product, meet overseas contacts and negotiate business deals. It is not a travel show for the public, it is an event for the travel trade involving Australian tourism businesses and international travel buyers or companies. Representatives from the WA Tourism Commission's international marketing division attend the event each year and focus on business with our core overseas markets of the United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. It is the biggest single event in the tourism industry. It is true that I did not attend the event on Monday of this week. I did not attend because Monday was the day on which the finance documents for the convention centre - for which I am responsible minister - were to be delivered to the State. It was important for me to remain in Western Australia to receive the documents and to comment on them at the time. Given that this is the test of what a Minister for Tourism should be, I take the opportunity to reflect on what the previous minister did. This is the test of whether one is a good Minister for Tourism. I took the opportunity to seek advice on what the previous Minister for Tourism had done. The information provided to me reveals that one of these exchanges was held in 2000; but where was the Minister for Tourism? He was not under the counter; they could not find him! They looked for him everywhere, “Where are you, minister?” He was not there! They looked in 1999 - they looked for him here, they looked for him there, they looked for him everywhere, but they could not find him! He was missing. He was still drawing a salary at the time and he was still breathing - I think! Again in 1998 - where was he? Was there too much in the diary or did he forget about it? He missed the event three years in a row! The Leader of the Opposition says that it is a portfolio problem. Let us look at the huge workload of the former Minister for Tourism. I do not know what he did after Tuesday of each week. I am not sure what he actually did. This is the bar that has been set for the portfolio. The Leader of the Opposition says there is an overload in the portfolio, but he does not bother to check or do his research to see whether, when he was at the helm, his own minister was discharging his obligations. Mr Barnett: Did you present a paper in Korea? Mr BROWN: No; I did not present a paper. Mr Barnett: Why did you go? The SPEAKER: The answer to this question has occupied too much time. Although entertaining, the House needs to get through more questions. As a result, I will extend question time today by five minutes. I would appreciate the minister finishing his answer. Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
Given that this is the test of what a Minister for Tourism should be, I take the opportunity to reflect on what the previous minister did. This is the test of whether one is a good Minister for Tourism. I took the opportunity to seek advice on what the previous Minister for Tourism had done. The information provided to me reveals that one of these exchanges was held in 2000; but where was the Minister for Tourism? He was not under the counter; they could not find him! They looked for him everywhere, “Where are you, minister?” He was not there! They looked in 1999 - they looked for him here, they looked for him there, they looked for him everywhere, but they could not find him! He was missing. He was still drawing a salary at the time and he was still breathing - I think! Again in 1998 - where was he? Was there too much in the diary or did he forget about it? He missed the event three years in a row! The Leader of the Opposition says that it is a portfolio problem. Let us look at the huge workload of the former Minister for Tourism. I do not know what he did after Tuesday of each week. I am not sure what he actually did. This is the bar that has been set for the portfolio. The Leader of the Opposition says there is an overload in the portfolio, but he does not bother to check or do his research to see whether, when he was at the helm, his own minister was discharging his obligations.
Mr BROWN: No; I did not present a paper. Mr Barnett: Why did you go? The SPEAKER: The answer to this question has occupied too much time. Although entertaining, the House needs to get through more questions. As a result, I will extend question time today by five minutes. I would appreciate the minister finishing his answer. Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
Mr Barnett: Why did you go? The SPEAKER: The answer to this question has occupied too much time. Although entertaining, the House needs to get through more questions. As a result, I will extend question time today by five minutes. I would appreciate the minister finishing his answer. Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
The SPEAKER: The answer to this question has occupied too much time. Although entertaining, the House needs to get through more questions. As a result, I will extend question time today by five minutes. I would appreciate the minister finishing his answer. Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
Mr BROWN: Earlier this week the Leader of the Opposition congratulated me on my visit to Korea, but he is now questioning why I went. I do not know what la-la land he lives in, but wherever he is I hope he returns to reality shortly.
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