Mr MICHAEL DALEY: My question is directed to the Premier. In light of his recent warnings of a horror upcoming budget, how much has his decision to extend parliamentary sitting days cost the taxpayers of New South Wales, only to have members of the Legislative Council sitting in their offices without legislation to debate?

Mr BARRY O'FARRELL: He obviously wears asbestos underwear: imagine any member on that side asking a question about Parliament being shut down? How much did the shutdown of Parliament last November cost the State's taxpayers as the Government did a down and dirty deal to flog the State's electricity assets for a song? There are tensions between the member for Maroubra and the Leader of the Opposition that I hear, frankly, are well-founded. This question is worse than that provided for the member for Macquarie Fields.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Lismore and the member for Auburn will direct their comments through the Chair.

Mr BARRY O'FARRELL: Obviously, it was an attempt to show that the member for Maroubra is not cut out to be the Leader of the Opposition, as he so desperately wants to be. This could almost be an attempt to get the member for Toongabbie back into the top job. Maybe that accounts for his good humour. I cannot understand that when the Parliament rose five weeks ago we had complaints from those opposite that we were working too hard. We had complaints from Labor members in the upper House that life was just too tough.

Mr Robert Furolo: Point of order: My point of order relates to Standing Order 129. While fairytales may pass for answers in this House these days, the Premier needs to answer the question. The answer bears no relation to the question about the costs to the House.

The SPEAKER: Order! I have been listening to the Premier's answer, which has been relevant. The Premier has the call.

Mr BARRY O'FARRELL: I thought I was making the case. The member for Lakemba is too busy thinking about the next flash car he may take for a drive or discussing defensive policing with the member for Kogarah. I was arguing that before the winter break those opposite, particularly those located in that other place, were complaining that we were simply working them too hard.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Maroubra to order for the second time. I call the member for Maroubra to order for the third time.

Mr BARRY O'FARRELL: Yesterday the Legislative Council had a 15-minute break and one would think that productivity had ceased. As I said on radio this morning, I suspect the upper House could disappear for a year and productivity would not be affected.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Kiama will come to order.

Mr BARRY O'FARRELL: I am sorry the former Speaker Mr Aquilina is not here because in the time he was Leader of the House I would like to know how much those late-night sittings that were put on time and again—

Ms Linda Burney: Point of order: My point of order relates to Standing Order 129. Again I remind the Premier that the graffiti bill has been in for 66 days—

The SPEAKER: Order! That is not a point of order.

Mr BARRY O'FARRELL: I thank the member for Canterbury for her point of order because I remind her about the disgraceful display by Labor and The Greens members in the other place when they spoke for hour after hour irrespective of the impact on the staff of the Parliament.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Keira will come to order.

Mr BARRY O'FARRELL: I ask the member for Marrickville and the member for Macquarie Fields, given their support for the Parliament, where were they to close their debates this morning? They were missing in action. Neither of them closed his or her debate. That is why I say to the member for Maroubra that he has been poorly used by his leader. He has been sacrificed so that his career is further damaged, if that is possible. We will continue to work the Parliament heavy.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Maroubra having been called to order three times, I ask the Serjeant-at-Arms to remove him from the House.

[The member for Maroubra left the Chamber, accompanied by the Serjeant-at-Arms.]