Kelly Hoare (Charlton, Australian Labor Party) 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?

Kelly Hoare (Charlton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, in three places.

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

Please proceed.

Kelly Hoare (Charlton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The first time was in question time yesterday by Senator Ian Campbell. The minister referred to a letter I wrote to him making representations on behalf of my constituent regarding a proposed coalmine in the Hunter Valley. The minister stated that the views in the letter were mine. They were not. They were the views of my constituent for whom I was making representations.

The second time was in a media release put out by the member for Paterson yesterday. The member for Paterson asserted that I made claims in the same letter to the minister that were my views. They were not. They were the views of my constituent, which I was representing to the minister. My concluding paragraph in the letter made it very clear that the content of the letter was based on my constituent’s concerns. It said:

Your consideration of (my constituent)’s concerns and response in due course would be appreciated.

Third, I was misrepresented in a statement published in the Newcastle Herald today stating that I specifically opposed the Anvil Hill proposal. This is also not true. My position is of support for the local coalmining industry and those who work in it. Mr Speaker, it is a travesty of democracy that members of parliament—

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

Order! The member has made her point. She will not debate her point.