Mr FAHEY (Finance and Administration) (3:34 PM) —Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

Mr SPEAKER —Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Mr FAHEY —Yes.

Mr SPEAKER —Please proceed.

Mr FAHEY —This morning the Daily Telegraph ran an article based on the assertions made yesterday afternoon in this House by the member for Werriwa. The member for Werriwa asserted that preferential treatment was given to Mr Max Dunbier, the owner of Oakdale Collieries, during the time that I was Premier of New South Wales. I categorically deny any knowledge of preferential treatment to Mr Dunbier or his companies during my time in the New South Wales parliament. In particular, I deny any knowledge of any loan of $1.8 million to Mr Dunbier, any state government contracts or road works beneficial to Mr Dunbier's haulage companies. Further, Mr Dunbier was never part of a fundraising group called The Friends of John Fahey.