Mr BAYLEY – Thank you, Treasurer, for your very brief statement, and thanks to the officials for joining us. A quick overarching question, Treasurer. In the past 18 months, have you, as an individual, been subject to or party to any Supreme Court matters?
Mr JAENSCH – Is that relevant to the Budget, Chair?
Mr BAYLEY – It’s relevant to the Treasurer’s portfolio and it’s a pretty simple question. Everyone else has answered it. The Premier’s answered it –
Mr ABETZ – I’ve got a funny feeling there might be a supplementary question to that, as though there might be something else –
Mr BAYLEY – There is a financial question element to it as well. It’s been answered by the Premier. It’s a really simple one. Have you, as an individual, been subject to or party to any Supreme Court matter?
Mr ABETZ – To the best of my knowledge, information and belief – and I’m trying to drag through the memory – I don’t think so.
Mr BAYLEY – Thank you. In the past 18 months, have you as an individual incurred any legal costs that have been covered by taxpayer dollars?
Mr JAENSCH – Excuse me, Chair, point of order, This question has been framed as you as an individual. This is a hearing for the Treasury and Finance portfolio in Estimates. I don’t know how the member is able to ask questions of a person as an individual.
Mr BAYLEY – Chair, this was answered by the Premier yesterday. It was answered by every other minister.
CHAIR – I just want to seek advice.
Mr ABETZ – As I understand it, this might be in the context of legal indemnity.
CHAIR – Treasurer, do you mind?
Mr ABETZ – Sorry, I just wanted to clarify, that’s all.
CHAIR – To the point of order, it is around expenditure and budgets, but if the Treasurer would care to answer this, it’s up to him.
Mr BAYLEY – So to the best of your knowledge, you haven’t been part of a Supreme Court matter.
Mr ABETZ – In my role as Treasurer, no.
CHAIR – We’ll move on.
Mr BAYLEY – Has any money been expended in your name?
Mr ABETZ – To the best of my knowledge, no.
CHAIR – Mr Bayley, I think you’ve had your couple of questions.
