Mrs CHIKAROVSKI: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for the Olympics. Given the Minister’s previous public assurances that New South Wales Government Ministers would not receive special treatment at Olympic events, can the Minister explain why the Premier’s Department has reserved a total of 76 first-class seats in four corporate boxes at the Olympic stadium and the Superdome for the use of Ministers and their guests?

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Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Wakehurst to order.

Mr KNIGHT: Of all people to ask a question about Olympic tickets for members of Parliament! The Leader of the Opposition has been given a courtesy accreditation for her and her guests to the Games.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Hornsby to order.

Mr KNIGHT: Regarding corporate boxes, both the State and Federal governments have corporate boxes which they may use to entertain their guests.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order.

Mr KNIGHT: In New South Wales this matter will be handled by the Department of State Development and the Premier’s Department; in Canberra it will be handled by the Prime Minister’s Department, Austrade and other authorities.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Epping to order.

Mr KNIGHT: There has not be an allocation to Ministers, except as previously indicated. The Minister for the Olympics receives an accreditation, as does the shadow minister for the Olympics, as board members of the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games. All board members and their partners receive that accreditation. The Premier receives an accreditation, as does the Leader of the Opposition. Similarly, the Deputy Premier and his partner receive an accreditation, as does the Deputy Prime Minister.

Mrs CHIKAROVSKI: I ask a supplementary question. In light of the Minister’s answer, can he advise the House what is the cost to taxpayers of these four, exclusive corporate boxes set aside by the Premier’s Department for the use of Ministers, including, as advised by the Minister’s briefing note, the cost of providing food and alcohol?

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the Minister for Transport to order.

Mr KNIGHT: The boxes that the State Government has received at the stadium will not be charged for, on the basis that the State is the underwriter of the Games.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Davidson to order.

Mr KNIGHT: This is precisely to avoid taxpayers being charged, and any charges for the box or boxes - and I am not sure what has been concluded for the Superdome - will be paid for at the sponsor rate.