Ms O’CONNOR – Yes. Now, minister, I need to ask you this question, because we’ve been asking a number of ministers this question: in broad terms, in the past 18 months, either as a minister or an MP, have you as an individual incurred any legal costs that have been met by government?
Ms OGILVIE – Yes.
Ms O’CONNOR – Okay. And so, in the past 18 months, have you as an individual – either a minister or a member – been a subject or a party to any Supreme Court matters?
Ms OGILVIE – No.
Ms O’CONNOR – Thank you.
Ms OGILVIE – Why did you want to know that?
Ms O’CONNOR – Why’d I want to know that? Because we’re asking questions about- last year in Estimates, there was a $600,000-plus legal bill paid for by taxpayers for private ministers’ and MPs’ legal expenses.
Ms OGILVIE – Private? I don’t think- if they’re ministers, then it’s ministerial expense?
Ms O’CONNOR – It depends if they’re private legal fees.
CHAIR – I’m not quite sure how this relates to our Budget.
Ms OGILVIE – No, I don’t think it relates at all to the Budget. But anyway, I’ve answered your question.
CHAIR – You’ve answered it.
Ms O’CONNOR – Well, it does. Absolutely it does, because it’s about probity. Whatever portfolio you’re administering.
