Mr MARTIN —My question is to the Minister for Small Business and Consumer Affairs. Has the minister, while Minister for Small Business and Consumer Affairs and with responsibility for retail tenancy and franchising, made any approach to, or had any communication with, any director or employee of Coles Myer or with former West Australian Planning Minister Lewis or his officers in relation to any business in which the Minister for Small Business and Consumer Affairs has a financial interest, in particular the Eaton lot in Bunbury?

Mr PROSSER —I can advise that, as required, I have made my declaration in the register of members' interests. Secondly, my declaration is in the detail that all members are required to follow.

Mr Crean —That has nothing to do with the question.

Mr Martin —Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. My point of order is relevance. Perhaps he is anticipating other questions, but my question went specifically to asking about a specific matter of his responsibility, not whether he had tabled information as part of his declaration of members' interests.

Mr SPEAKER —I thank the honourable member for Cunningham. The minister will address the substance of the question.

Mr PROSSER —I am explaining the background of the question and I think the honourable member will be happy with the contents of the explanation. The following companies I have disclosed own amongst other properties the following: Minninup Forum shopping centre, Leschenault Quays and the Homemaker Centre. In these three centres there are about 40 commercial and retail outlets. Amongst these outlets there are individuals, partnerships and proprietary companies. Also amongst these outlets are franchised operations such as Chicken Treat, Subway, Pizza Hut and Betta Electrical Service.

It is irrelevant whether they are franchisees or franchisors: they are tenants and subject to equal treatment. There is no distinction between a tenant, whether they are a franchisor or franchisee. None of the companies in which I have an interest operates as a franchisee or a franchisor.

As to the planning matters, apart from the standard political and social contact I have neither sought nor had any contact with any planning minister while I have been a minister.

As far as the Coles Myer matter is concerned, I rang Mr Nick Greiner four or five months ago to ask for a contact name in Coles Myer for my brother. Mr Greiner suggested that my brother write to him. Other than this request for a contact point—

Mr Kerr —About what? About what?

Mr SPEAKER —The member for Denison!

Mr PROSSER —I did not discuss any other matter with Mr Greiner and I have had no further contact with Mr Greiner from this point. My brother subsequently wrote to Mr Greiner and was given a contact name. There are no commercial arrangements between Coles Myer or any other company in which I am associated.