House debates

Tuesday, 13 September 2016

Personal Explanations

3:15 pm

Photo of Mr Tony BurkeMr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek to make a personal explanation.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Manager of Opposition Business seeks to make a personal explanation. Do you claim to have been misrepresented?

Photo of Mr Tony BurkeMr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | | Hansard source

I do.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Manager of Opposition Business may proceed.

Photo of Mr Tony BurkeMr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | | Hansard source

In question time today the Prime Minister described me as a staunch opponent of same-sex marriage. Not only has my indication that I would support same-sex marriage, or marriage equality, been made clear; the Prime Minister and I have had a conversation about the fact that I would vote in favour of it if it were raised again.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

I thank the Manager of Opposition Business. The member for Lilley?

Photo of Wayne SwanWayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I wish to make a personal explanation.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Does the member for Lilley claim to have been misrepresented?

Photo of Wayne SwanWayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I do.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for Lilley may proceed.

Photo of Wayne SwanWayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

The Prime Minister said I was opposed to marriage equality. That is absolutely untrue. I favour marriage equality. He knows that, and I was deliberately misrepresented by the Prime Minister. It is not a good start to this debate.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

I thank the member for Lilley and call the member for McEwen.

3:16 pm

Photo of Rob MitchellRob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I rise to make a personal explanation.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Does the member for McEwen claim to have been misrepresented?

Photo of Rob MitchellRob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Most grievously, Mr Speaker.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for McEwen may proceed.

Photo of Rob MitchellRob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

In question time today the Prime Minister misled the House in claiming I said a set of words.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for McEwen will come to where he has been misrepresented.

Photo of Rob MitchellRob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Yes, I did. In question time today the Prime Minister, when he answered the opposition, claimed I said a set of words. I did not say those words. To assist the House, I said, 'Ask Gina, like Barnaby does.' I think the Prime Minister should come and immediately correct the record.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

I would say to the member for McEwen that he has made his personal explanation. The best way to avoid this in the future is to cease interjecting. Now he has said it, I will also caution him to refer to members by their correct titles, even when he is interjecting.