The Hon. M. J. GALLACHER: My question without notice is addressed to the Attorney General, and Minister for Industrial Relations. Does the Attorney endorse Labor members of Parliament using their electorate offices and resources to recruit members for the New South Wales union movement? Does he consider this to be an appropriate use of taxpayer-funded facilities?

The Hon. J. W. SHAW: I have never been confronted by any such allegation, and I regret to say that I do not have a considered opinion about it.

The Hon. M. J. GALLACHER: I ask a supplementary question. Is the Attorney aware that in the latest edition of Workers Online, the official Internet magazine of the New South Wales Labor Council, it is reported that 18 Labor members of Parliament have signed a protocol with Tony Sheldon, the State Secretary of the Transport Workers Union, agreeing to use their electorate offices and resources - all funded by the taxpayer - to assist the union movement to recruit new members? In light of that, will the Attorney table the protocol, identify those members and refer them and Mr Sheldon to the Independent Commission Against Corruption - because if he will not, the Coalition will?

The Hon. J. W. SHAW: I cannot table a document which I do not have. I do not have, and I have not seen, the supposed protocol. Each week I try to skim Workers Online, which I find relatively amusing, interesting and stimulating. I think a former staff member of mine writes some of the articles. I have not noticed the particular reference to Mr Sheldon to which the honourable member refers. I have found Mr Sheldon to be a fine and decent trade union officer of the Transport Workers Union.

The Hon. M. R. Egan: He’s a former member of the Cronulla branch of the Australian Labor Party.

The Hon. J. W. SHAW: Enough said! I have not read the article to which the Leader of the Opposition refers, but I will try to find it in my copy of Workers Online.

The Hon. M. J. Gallacher: Will you refer the matter to ICAC?

The Hon. J. W. SHAW: I will give it the due and disinterested consideration that is my wont.