Senator MICHAEL BAUME —My question is addressed to the Minister for Health. I ask the Minister: when he as Minister for Transport and Communications supported the price tender system for satellite pay television licences before his resignation over the Marshall Islands affair, was he aware that business associates of his incarcerated cousin-in-law, Mr Symons, were already considering seeking such a licence? When did he first become aware of their tenders for these licences? Has he ever had any contact or association with former associates of Mr Symons or others associated with Hi Vision, a successful tenderer, including Mr Bruce Dennis, who works for a Sydney law firm, Dennis and Company, which apparently shares its offices with Hi Vision; Mr Dennis's father, Mr Noel Dennis, a defrocked solicitor and former business associate of Mr Symons; or Hi Vision's company secretary, Mr Bruce Hocking, another defrocked solicitor and former consultant to Mr Symons on the Marshall Islands venture? If so, when and where did these contacts, if any, take place?

The PRESIDENT —Previously, I have allowed questions on a previous portfolio. It is up to Ministers whether or not they answer those questions.

Senator RICHARDSON —Thank you, Mr President. I will answer the question that Senator Baume has asked on this occasion and, as far as the future is concerned, I will—

Senator Patterson —Look at the tie.

Senator RICHARDSON —Do not talk about my ties already. Those opposite can wait.

Senator Collins —What is wrong with it?

Senator RICHARDSON —I like it, but Senator Patterson is upset. Actually I got it in London, if she really wants to know.

Senator Alston —Did you put it on Rene's expense account?

Senator RICHARDSON —Oh, go away! Mr President, I must say that I am delighted to be back. I would have to say that not much has changed in 12 months. Those opposite are still over there, we are still over here, and I am back at the front.

  Senator Baume has asked some questions about a number of people associated with the new bids in pay television. I take it that the import of those questions is whether I was aware of them last year when I was Minister. I have not met the people who were mentioned in today's papers ever, and I had not heard of the company names associated with these tenders until last Friday, as I am sure nobody in the room had.

Senator Chapman —We have heard that before.

Senator RICHARDSON —Yes, and I was right every time. I have not met Mr Dennis, who is a serving solicitor; nor have I met his father, who is a defrocked solicitor. I have not met Mr Hocking—I think that was the other name the honourable senator used. I do not know any of them; I do not know their companies. They are the responsibility of Senator Collins—he can tell the honourable senator all about them.