❓ A parliamentary question regarding the Minister for Tourism's attendance at key tourism events and meetings, followed by the Minister's response defending his actions and highlighting perceived hypocrisy from the opposition.
AnsweredQoN 400Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to his heated denial in debate in this House on 7 November 2002 that he has failed to attend important tourism functions as a result of his overwhelming ministerial workload, and ask - (1) Can the minister confirm that he did not attend the 2002 Sir David Brand Tourism Awards? (2) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the opening of the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle on Sunday, despite the Premier’s claim that this project is expected to be a major tourist attraction for national and international visitors to Western Australia? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.E. WALKER: My question continues - (3) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the Tourism Ministers Council meeting on 11 September 2002, a meeting aimed at developing a 10-year strategic promotion plan and facilitating consultation and policy coordination between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments? Mr C.M. BROWN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
(1) Can the minister confirm that he did not attend the 2002 Sir David Brand Tourism Awards? (2) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the opening of the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle on Sunday, despite the Premier’s claim that this project is expected to be a major tourist attraction for national and international visitors to Western Australia? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.E. WALKER: My question continues - (3) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the Tourism Ministers Council meeting on 11 September 2002, a meeting aimed at developing a 10-year strategic promotion plan and facilitating consultation and policy coordination between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments? Mr C.M. BROWN replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
(2) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the opening of the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle on Sunday, despite the Premier’s claim that this project is expected to be a major tourist attraction for national and international visitors to Western Australia? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.E. WALKER: My question continues - (3) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the Tourism Ministers Council meeting on 11 September 2002, a meeting aimed at developing a 10-year strategic promotion plan and facilitating consultation and policy coordination between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments? Mr C.M. BROWN replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.E. WALKER: My question continues - (3) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the Tourism Ministers Council meeting on 11 September 2002, a meeting aimed at developing a 10-year strategic promotion plan and facilitating consultation and policy coordination between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments? Mr C.M. BROWN replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.E. WALKER: My question continues - (3) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the Tourism Ministers Council meeting on 11 September 2002, a meeting aimed at developing a 10-year strategic promotion plan and facilitating consultation and policy coordination between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments? Mr C.M. BROWN replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
Ms S.E. WALKER: My question continues - (3) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the Tourism Ministers Council meeting on 11 September 2002, a meeting aimed at developing a 10-year strategic promotion plan and facilitating consultation and policy coordination between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments? Mr C.M. BROWN replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
(3) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the Tourism Ministers Council meeting on 11 September 2002, a meeting aimed at developing a 10-year strategic promotion plan and facilitating consultation and policy coordination between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments? Mr C.M. BROWN replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
Mr C.M. BROWN replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
(1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
(2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
(3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
(1) Can the minister confirm that he did not attend the 2002 Sir David Brand Tourism Awards? (2) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the opening of the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle on Sunday, despite the Premier’s claim that this project is expected to be a major tourist attraction for national and international visitors to Western Australia? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.E. WALKER: My question continues - (3) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the Tourism Ministers Council meeting on 11 September 2002, a meeting aimed at developing a 10-year strategic promotion plan and facilitating consultation and policy coordination between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments? Mr C.M. BROWN replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
(2) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the opening of the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle on Sunday, despite the Premier’s claim that this project is expected to be a major tourist attraction for national and international visitors to Western Australia? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.E. WALKER: My question continues - (3) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the Tourism Ministers Council meeting on 11 September 2002, a meeting aimed at developing a 10-year strategic promotion plan and facilitating consultation and policy coordination between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments? Mr C.M. BROWN replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.E. WALKER: My question continues - (3) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the Tourism Ministers Council meeting on 11 September 2002, a meeting aimed at developing a 10-year strategic promotion plan and facilitating consultation and policy coordination between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments? Mr C.M. BROWN replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.E. WALKER: My question continues - (3) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the Tourism Ministers Council meeting on 11 September 2002, a meeting aimed at developing a 10-year strategic promotion plan and facilitating consultation and policy coordination between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments? Mr C.M. BROWN replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
Ms S.E. WALKER: My question continues - (3) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the Tourism Ministers Council meeting on 11 September 2002, a meeting aimed at developing a 10-year strategic promotion plan and facilitating consultation and policy coordination between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments? Mr C.M. BROWN replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
(3) Can the minister also confirm that he did not attend the Tourism Ministers Council meeting on 11 September 2002, a meeting aimed at developing a 10-year strategic promotion plan and facilitating consultation and policy coordination between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments? Mr C.M. BROWN replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
Mr C.M. BROWN replied: I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
I thank the member for the question. (1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
(1) I will refer to the tourism functions that I attended. One function that I enjoyed attending was the opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie. While I was there I looked around for the local members, and do members know who was there? The member for Eyre was there. Do members know who was not there? Who missed the opening of the most important tourism icon in the goldfields? Where was the local member? I looked around everywhere. I used my binoculars. However, the member for Kalgoorlie was not to be seen. Can members believe it? The member for Kalgoorlie did not bother to turn up to a function in his own electorate! Opposition members criticise me for not turning up at a tourism function, yet the member for Kalgoorlie is too busy to attend the opening of the most important tourism icon in Kalgoorlie-Boulder! Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
Several members interjected. Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
Mr C.M. BROWN: The member for Nedlands has asked about three things, the first of which was the tourism awards. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
Mr C.M. BROWN: I did not attend the tourism awards. Why did I not attend the tourism awards? Six months before the date for the awards ceremony was set, I gave the Indian-Australian business associations a clear commitment that I would visit India at that time. The tourism awards are normally held in July and August. As soon as I received the letter indicating the date on which the awards would be held, I contacted the President of the Tourism Council Western Australia and asked him whether there was any possibility of changing that date. He indicated to me that there was no possibility of changing the date, and I respect that, so I did not attend the awards. I made a video of the night, and I apologised to the industry because I had a prior commitment. I also ensured that the Minister for the Environment and Heritage attended the awards. (2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
(2) Secondly, the member asked about the Western Australian Maritime Museum. I am very pleased that my junior colleague the Premier attended the opening to represent the Government! It is not bad when a minister can delegate up! Perhaps I should have been there with my hand up the Premier’s back telling him what to do! Opposition members have suffered some considerable embarrassment, because on the day they made this allegation we asked them to name one forum and they could not name one. (3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
(3) I will deal with the tourism ministers meeting, which was held in New Zealand. The tourism ministers meeting was cancelled. Then I was advised of three separate dates on which it would be held. I advised that I could attend on two of the dates but not on the third. However, I ensured that my parliamentary secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Tourism Commission attended the meeting. The Leader of the Opposition, who has not shut up since this question was asked, was an extremely successful tourism minister. As my colleague the member for Rockingham has pointed out previously in this House, he was such a roaring success in that position that the former Premier left him there for four months to do the job!
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