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Mr THOMAS GEORGE (Lismore) [11.06 a.m.]: This week the House has discussed protocols, what members of Parliament are responsible for and what they should do about visiting other electorates. I was amazed when a member of Parliament took exception to my visiting the Murwillumbah area, not by invitation but out of the love of attending a rugby league grand final. In the period from 1989 to 1991 I had the honour of being President of the Casino RSM Rugby League Football Club—the period during which the Casino RSM Cougars last won the grand final, coached by the renowned former Australian player Ross Conlon.
I have had a love for rugby league for some time and have indicated my commitment by turning up at grand final matches and other games throughout the year, although not by invitation. This year's grand final was held at Murwillumbah. Two weeks prior to that game I attended the grand final of the second division, held at Evans Head, also not in my electorate. When the club's committee members saw me at Evans Head they asked me to present the trophy at the end of the day, which I duly presented to my son, Cameron George, captain-coach of Evans Head, who were the minor premiers.
At the Murwillumbah grand final the Lismore Marist Brothers defeated the Cudgen Hornets in the under-18 competition. That was probably a controversial game as far as people from the Tweed were concerned, but Marist Brothers won 30 to 4. In reserve grade, Ballina outclassed Mullumbimby by 44 to 10 and became the major premiers. In first grade, Cudgen Hornets defeated the Murwillumbah Mustangs. Congratulations to the winning three teams, and commiserations to the losing teams. My partner, Deborah Reid, is the sister of this year's coach of the Kyogle team, Wayne Lollbach, who was awarded Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League [NRRRL] coach of the year. I have attended a lot of games with them. Wayne was at the Murwillumbah grand final, another reason for my attendance. In accepting the offer to help with the presentation, I was amazed to learn that the chairman of the NRRRL received a letter that stated:
Dear Sir
I write in regard to the conclusion of the NRRRL competition and in particular the presentation following the determination of the A grade major premiership.
May I offer my congratulations on a successful season and competition.
The grand final was held in Murwillumbah in the State seat of Tweed. NRRRL is at liberty to choose whom it pleases to make the presentation. However, it is quite discourteous to have invited into the electorate of Tweed, another State MP without notifying or inviting the local representative.
The situation in this case, did not arise by accident, but was a deliberate political push.
I'll leave it with you and your executive to determine if this was allowed to occur by naivety, ignorance or the arrogance of some, allowing their political persuasion to override the game and acceptable standards of courtesy.
If you are indeed 'running the show' you would be aware of local League clubs I have gladly represented to gain State Government support with sporting grants in the past.
Yours sincerely
Neville Newell
The honourable member for Tweed is the last bloke who should write a letter such as that. He has been to my electorate on several occasions and never advised me beforehand of his intention to visit. The Minister for Small Business often turns up at Lismore. Apparently he does not have a mobile telephone. However, I have spoken to the Premier and I think he is going to purchase one for the Minister so that in future he can ring members of Parliament and advise them when he intends to visit their electorates. Even the Minister for Western Sydney, and Minister for Fair Trading—it was not her fault—turned up in my electorate unannounced. Yet when I attended a game of rugby league at my own behest—
Mr Gerard Martin: Haven't you got anything more important to talk about, Thomas?
Mr THOMAS GEORGE: I have many important issues to raise in the House. Anyone who writes a letter such as the one I have quoted is pretty desperate. That is why I wanted to read it onto the record. Labor members are the last people who should make dictates about protocols, because they never adhere to them.