Ms O'CONNOR question to TREASURER, Mr GUTWEIN
We heard the Premier use the THA's talking points during his answer to our earlier question. Following the Federal Group, THA and gambling interests interstate bankrolling the Liberal Party's election campaign, you decided to gift the Tasmanian Hospitality Association $6.8 million. This deal only became public after election day. It raises the spectre of a quid pro quo for the millions the THA and the interests it represents poured into buying government. Can you tell the House when you agreed to gift the THA and the interests it represents poured into buying government.
Can you tell the House when you agreed to give the THA $6.8 million? Was it before election day? Whose idea was it and what was agreed? Further, what do you have to say to Tasmanians who believe this money was simply payback to the industry for the millions it spent buying you and your colleagues a place back on the Treasury benches?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, here we go again with the conspiracy theory. I am not the hospitality minister but am obviously responsible for ensuring all of our policies are fully funded through the process, and I can assure the House that all of our policies will be delivered in full and on time.
In terms of the attack on the hospitality industry, that industry employs tens of thousands of Tasmanians.
Ms O'Connor - The THA is not the hospitality industry.
Madam SPEAKER - Member for Denison, please.
Mr GUTWEIN - My understanding of that program is that it will ensure the necessary skills required in the industry and the support that is required for those employees to ensure they can continue to provide first-class service to the record levels of tourists coming to this state.
Ms O'CONNOR - Point of order, Madam Speaker, again on Standing Order 45. The nub of the question was: when was it agreed, what was agreed, and whose idea was it?
Mr GUTWEIN - I have answered it. I am not the hospitality minister. My job as the Treasurer is to ensure that our election commitments are fully funded, costed and, importantly, delivered on time. I am pleased to be able to say to the House that that policy, along with every other commitment we made, will be delivered in full and on time.