Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 9 to Minister

In question time today I said that I had learnt about issues under section 363 of the Building Act 2004 on 9 March. I have subsequently realised that I misread my notes, and I would like to correct myself. I learnt about issues under sections 410 and 363 in January, and subsequently learnt about issues relating to other aspects of the Act on 9 March after the Department of Building and Housing had done further investigative work on the new Act.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. There is a pattern developing here, and I seek to know what remedy Opposition members may have recourse to. In the last half-hour two Ministers of the Crown have come down to an empty House and fessed up to having given incorrect answers in question time, when we had a very robust, packed House. This is becoming a pattern. It is almost too much of a coincidence, and I seek some assurance that Ministers are not just escaping when they are under pressure, then returning to an empty House to fess up.

[Interruption] No, I do not need any assistance on this, at all. The Ministers are fully entitled to do exactly what they have done. I do not see any need to question it.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. My point of order is more a request for clarification. We appreciate that the Minister has come down here. He mentioned that he was advised about sections 410 and 363 in January. Then the Minister said that on 9 March he learnt of other aspects. I would like clarification of what the other aspects were, because that is a pretty wide statement. Is the member able to tell us what other aspects he became aware of on 9 March?

The Standing Orders require the Minister to clarify the answer, but it is not an opportunity for a second question time. The Minister has come in and stated his case, and that is where the matter lies.