Mr MARTYN EVANS —My question is to the Minister for Forestry and Conservation. Minister, do you recall telling the House yesterday that you only became aware two days ago of Senator Minchin's statement to the Senate on 1 December 1998 concerning Pangea, adding:

The fact is that I do not read the Senate Hansard.

Minister, did you also not read the Australian on 2 December 1998 which reported Senator Minchin's statement on page 5, or the Age of that day on page 2, or the Sydney Morning Herald of that day on page 5? Did you also not listen to the ABC AM on 1 December 1998 which reported Minister Minchin's denial, or ABC PM that day on which Senator Minchin himself said:

There has been absolutely no ministerial level discussions with that company, Pangea Resources.

Minister, did you tell the truth yesterday or are you just incompetent?

Mr TUCKEY (Forestry and Conservation; Minister Assisting the Prime Minister) —The answer to all those questions, of course, is no. I am not someone who bothers to read every newspaper in Australia because I simply believe I have more important things to do in delivering good policy, which is something you don't even have and gives you plenty of opportunity to read the newspapers. I told the absolute truth.