Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the member claim to have been misrepresented?

Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do, Mr Speaker—

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by the Prime Minister in question time. The Prime Minister should go down to Naracoorte and talk to the local workers who are being stood down, losing pay, when foreign workers are getting work the locals should be doing.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member will resume her seat. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is well aware that in seeking the indulgence of the chair she is expected to show where she personally has been misrepresented.

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Childcare) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Childcare) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Childcare) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I claim to have been misrepresented today by the Attorney-General and I seek leave to table the letter that he mentioned in the parliament today. I believe that he intentionally imputed a wrong purpose and intent to the letter that he mentioned. He implied that it is unusual for a member of the parliament to write on behalf of constituents asking for the expedition of—

Wilson Tuckey (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on a point of order: the member for Sydney is debating the context of the letter, not explaining where the minister misrepresented her.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Wilson Tuckey (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Don’t give us lectures about the way the place operates!

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Sydney will not debate the issue. The member will merely show where she has personally been misrepresented.

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Childcare) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Attorney-General implied that it is unusual for a member of parliament to write on behalf of a constituent asking for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to expedite business visas. We do it all time, because skills have declined so badly in this country. We believe Australians should be trained first and trained—

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Sydney has made her point. Is leave granted for the member to table the letter?

Leave granted.