Speaker’s Statements — Reply to Written Questions

Honourable members, on 12 February 2003 the Hon Nick Smith raised a point of order regarding the release by the office of the Minister of Education of a reply to a written question before the reply was given to the member. I have received an explanation from the Minister, and it is apparent that this was done inadvertently by the Minister’s office, and an apology was tendered to the member for this. I confirm that a copy of a reply should not be released until it has been sent to the member. I am satisfied that this was not done deliberately in this case and that no further action should follow given the apology from the Minister’s office. I thank the member for drawing this to my attention.