David Hawker Speaker
Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?
Danna Vale Hughes, Liberal Party
In an article on page 4 of the St George & Sutherland Shire Leader of today’s date, allegations were made, which I will read into the Hansard:
Sutherland shire based New South Wales ALP Senator Michael Forshaw described Mrs Vale’s comments as disgraceful and offensive. ‘It is irresponsible and inflammatory conduct by a member of parliament to peddle these spurious, bigoted falsehoods, particularly given the racially motivated violence that occurred in Cronulla and other parts of Sydney last December.’
I totally deny and utterly reject the senator’s allegations against me. I have made no statements that could be described as ‘spurious, bigoted falsehoods’ or ‘disgraceful’ or ‘offensive’.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Members:
Opposition members interjecting—
David Hawker Speaker
The chair is having considerable difficulty in hearing the member for Hughes. I suggest members allow the member for Hughes to be heard and we can find out where she feels she has been personally misrepresented.
Danna Vale Hughes, Liberal Party
The comments I made in issue were based on demographics, and on demographics only. I consider these allegations and comments to be offensive. I totally reject them, and I consider them to be defamatory.
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House
Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Could you clarify for the benefit of members that the rule regarding misrepresentation is about clarifying untruths and not stupidity?
David Hawker Speaker
The Manager of Opposition Business is well aware that members are given the opportunity to make personal explanations where they claim to have been personally misrepresented.
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House
Where was she misrepresented?
David Hawker Speaker
The chair will give members that opportunity and listen carefully. If it becomes obvious that it is not a place where they have been personally misrepresented then the chair will ask them to resume their seat.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House
Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The member for Hughes said that she found the comments offensive. She did not say that they were untrue or indicate where she was misrepresented. I found her comments extremely offensive, as do a number of members of my community.
David Hawker Speaker
I think the member for Hughes also said ‘defamatory’. I would have thought that that would qualify.