Mrs JUDY HANNAN (Wollondilly) (12:07): My question is directed to the Premier. Will the Premier advise how the New South Wales Government will review any conflicts, interests and roles to maintain the integrity of government regarding the conduct of individuals mentioned in ICAC's Operation Rosny, who my constituents suggest have strong associations in the Southern Highlands?
Mr CHRIS MINNS (Kogarah—Premier) (12:08): I thank the member for Wollondilly for her question. Before I answer the substantive part of the question, I acknowledge that a member of this Parliament, the member for Kellyville, is resigning. I am not heaping scorn on him. He took a principled stand in this Parliament, a difficult decision in difficult times. I wish him the best in his retirement from this place. He leaves with his reputation enhanced. I think the ICAC inquiry validated his concerns, which took enormous courage to bring to public life. I wish the member for Kellyville all the best.
In relation to Operation Rosny, my understanding is that the ICAC will provide recommendations to Parliament and findings as it relates to individuals in the coming months. Presumably, it will not be before the Parliament breaks. It will be up to the next Parliament to take action as it relates to findings and recommendations from the ICAC. But I give the member for Wollondilly a commitment that if we are returned, we will implement the changes that the ICAC demands to ensure that New South Wales is corruption-proof, and that the appalling corruption we have seen under the Liberals and Nationals is not repeated in this State.
Those opposite claim that they have turned over a new leaf and that, all of a sudden, they are taking these recommendations seriously. But look at the curious case of the Hon. Chris Rath, who admitted to tipping off those who were the subject of an upper House investigation and telling them where the Serjeant-at-Arms and the process servers would be. For months, he was telling them where not to be to avoid a process server. We only found out about that when the ICAC began its investigation. There is also the curious case of the Hon. Damien Tudehope—
Ms Felicity Wilson: Point of order—
Mr CHRIS MINNS: —who admitted to tipping off the committee as it relates to the specific report from the upper House investigation.
The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier should not be surprised that the Manager of Opposition Business rises on a point of order.
Ms Felicity Wilson: My point of order is that the Premier is reflecting on members of this Parliament. If the Premier wants to make those reflections, he needs to do so by substantive motion.
The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The member for North Shore will resume her seat.
Mr CHRIS MINNS: I am tempted to move a motion. We have a lot of people from Newcastle in the public gallery today. It is good to see them. They would remember Newcastle's favourite son, Damien Tudehope. He is running for the upper House in the Newcastle region. The bloke has never been there before, so we have a guy who tipped off members under investigation—
Ms Felicity Wilson: Point of order—
Mr CHRIS MINNS: —who is effectively disgraced in Parliament and in ICAC, but who has been promoted by the New South Wales Opposition.
The SPEAKER: The Premier will resume his seat.
Ms Felicity Wilson: The Premier has made a clear imputation against a member of this Parliament. I ask him to withdraw it and move a substantive motion if he wants to make it again.
The SPEAKER: The imputation is based on fact.
Ms Felicity Wilson: You didn't hear.
The SPEAKER: I did hear.
[Opposition members interjected.]
The Premier has been asked whether he will withdraw the comment. I shall put it to the Premier.
Mr CHRIS MINNS: No.
The SPEAKER: He will not. I call the member for Wollondilly.
Mrs Judy Hannan: If the Premier has not finished his answer, can I request an extension of time?
Mr CHRIS MINNS: Yes, you can. I do have more.
The SPEAKER: An additional two minutes is granted.
Mr CHRIS MINNS: It got to the point where we found out under questioning that the Hon. Damien Tudehope had given confidential information he only got as a member of the upper House to those who were the subject of the investigation. The Leader of the Opposition promised some kind of investigation, but instead he is promoted. Now we find out that he is running again.
Mr Justin Clancy: Point of order—
Mr CHRIS MINNS: But rather than run in his local area or in an at-large position—
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Albury rises on a point of order.
Mr CHRIS MINNS: —he tells us that he is proud to represent the Hunter.
The SPEAKER: The Clerk will stop the clock. I will hear the point of order from the member for Albury, but first I draw the member's attention to Standing Order 131 (9).
Mr Justin Clancy: I understand, Mr Speaker, but my point of order is taken under Standing Order 129. The Premier has clearly strayed from the question asked by the member for Wollondilly.
The SPEAKER: I do not believe the Premier has strayed from the question. The member for Wollondilly would have taken a point of order if she felt that was the case.
Mr CHRIS MINNS: I am tempted to move a full motion. It deserves a bit of the Parliament's time, but we have a lot on so I will use the last minute and 30 seconds to get out what I can. The Leader of the Opposition was recently asked in Newcastle what electorates the Opposition will compete for in the upcoming election. She replied, ''None. We are not going to be competing in any of them. We don't expect to compete or win any of those electorates." But do not worry, ladies and gentlemen, because the good news is that Damien Tudehope has decided to represent the people of Newcastle whether they want it or not.
Mr Justin Clancy: Point of order—
The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. I just ruled on the matter.
Mr CHRIS MINNS: I understand that a brave member of the Liberal Party has decided to enter the fray and challenge Damien Tudehope's reign as the long‑serving Knights fan and Newcastle's favourite son in the preselection for the upper House. I do not know who that person is, but I wish him all the best. I am sure he can do a more decent job representing both the Liberal Party and Newcastle than Damien Tudehope, who, by any objective measure, has disgraced himself. Without any sanction from the Liberal Party, he expects us to have some sort of memory fade between now and 13 March. That is not going to happen.