Ruth Webber (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I cannot help but respond to some of the imputations made by the minister in his latest contribution. It is not my usual practice to take part in the committee stages of any legislation except legislation that I am intimately involved with. However, if you are going to have a go then you will get one back. I was not aware, Minister, that you knew exactly when I was made aware of that individual contract because I did not reveal that last night for a very good reason. Those workers gave me that contract on the weekend on the basis of me respecting their confidentiality. I have advised the Opposition Whip that I did get that response from the government department. I have also written back to the government department—obviously they have not told you—saying that it was given to me on the basis of confidentiality. I will go back and meet with those people in person before I reveal those details. I would hope that you would respect that, when I say I will respect their request for confidentiality, I will uphold that. They were aware I would use it as an example and they were happy with that. But I will not reveal those details until I get their permission because some of their workmates are still working on that mine site and they are concerned about victimisation. If they give me the permission to reveal it, I expect you to come in here and retract what you have just said.