Senator CHRIS EVANS (2:40 PM) — My question is directed to Senator Coonan, the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer. Can the minister confirm that she has recently listed her property in Woollahra in her 18 September 2002 declaration of interests as an investment property? Can the minister also confirm that this same property has been previously listed in her declaration of interests as her private residence? Can the minister explain the apparent change in usage of her residence?

Senator COONAN (Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer) —That is a very easy question. It was purchased as an investment property, it was let for a while and then we moved into it to live in.

Senator CHRIS EVANS —Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. My question to the minister indicated that in her most recent declaration she had listed it as an investment property, after previously listing it as a private residence, so her explanation seems to be at odds with the sequence of events in her declaration. Can the minister please explain why in her declaration of interests this change has occurred and whether or not that address is in fact her residence? Can she also confirm that she is listed as being on the electoral roll at this address? When will the minister be updating the electoral information as to where she actually lives?

Senator COONAN (Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer) —I live in Woollahra, and I have lived there for some years, apart from a short period whilst that property was being renovated. The property is actually in two titles, but it is one property. It is the only property I own. I have paid all tax on it. I paid tax when it was let. It is my home, and I always intended to return to that home— even though I moved out, obviously, when the roof was off. It would have been a bit difficult to live there under those circumstances. Once it was habitable, I moved back. That is permissible under section 4 of the Electoral Act, and under section 99 a senator can enrol in any part of a subdivision of a division irrespective of where they live. I have always lived there, and that is where I stay.