Mr TANNER (2:07 PM) —My question is to the Treasurer representing the Minister for Finance and Administration. Is the Treasurer aware that Telstra Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ziggy Switkowski, is the star attraction at a fundraising function organised by the Liberal Party's Higgins 200 Club on 12 March? Treasurer, is it appropriate that the chief executive of Australia's largest majority government-owned enterprise is speaking at a function organised to raise campaign funds for you?

The SPEAKER —I would remind the member for Melbourne that, from my perspective, the use of the word `you' is inappropriate.

Mr COSTELLO (Treasurer) —I must make a special effort to get to the function, because I am sure I would enjoy it very substantially. I have always found Ziggy Switkowski to be a very interesting speaker, and I have no doubt that he will have an interesting speech to make. Incidentally, I also enjoy the privilege of having Ziggy as a constituent.

Mr COSTELLO —It is obviously a deep conspiracy, isn't it, that he is a constituent of mine! How outrageous that a constituent of mine would speak at a function in my electorate. He has every right to speak at such a function. I dare say that, if the Socialist Left controlled Melbourne FEC of the ALP invited him to give a speech, he would probably go there too. I would not have any objections if he were to do that. Ziggy Switkowski is a man who is of age and who can make his own decisions, and I have every confidence in the decisions that he makes. Can I say to any members of the Labor Party that, for a fee, you would be entitled to come along, but I think we would have to charge you double to get in there at the time.

Mr Tanner —Mr Speaker, I seek leave to table the flyer for the fundraiser that the Treasurer is so totally unconcerned about.

Leave granted.