Mr SWAN (2:33 PM) —My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to his statements in this place in relation to the Gerard appointment. He said that his:

but—

Treasurer, did your chief of staff contact the ATO in relation to any other appointments to the Reserve Bank board? Did your chief of staff contact any other regulatory agencies in relation to the Gerard appointment?

Mr COSTELLO (Treasurer) —I have checked with my chief of staff, and he has contacted the tax commissioner on other occasions—not in relation to the RBA board but on other occasions. In relation to this matter, as I said earlier, when he contacted the ATO he was told that confidentiality provisions prevented any information being given to him.

I repeat again that he was not told about any of the matters which were in the Australian Financial Review—nor was I told about those matters, nor do I believe that any member of the opposition knew about them until they were published in the AFR, nor do I believe that any other media outlet knew about them, nor any television or radio outlet. The opposition only have to get another three questions out to avoid asking a question about the economy, but the people of Australia are still interested in jobs and interest rates.

Mr Beazley —Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order—

Mr COSTELLO —He does not like this. They want to know what the future of their—

The SPEAKER —Has the Treasurer concluded his answer?

Mr COSTELLO —Yes.

Mr Beazley —and it goes to relevance.

The SPEAKER —Order! I have not called the leader yet.

Mr Beazley —He was asked about—

The SPEAKER —I have not called the leader yet!