Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I have a further question to you. I refer to the limits which are referred to in House of Representatives Practice of seeking to correct remarks in this place. Yesterday, the Minister for Defence released an official transcript of a doorstop interview that members of the press gallery were entitled to believe was accurate. However, the transcript was not an accurate record of what he said. The transcript was changed to conceal a critical error. While the doctored version of the interview had our troops operating on the Saudi border, Dr Nelson actually stated that our troops would be operating on the Syrian border. Mr Speaker, could you please investigate this matter and report back to the House before we rise for the winter recess? I seek leave to table the transcript as it appeared on Dr Nelson’s official website of the parliament on Tuesday, 20 June, and a transcript of what actually occurred at that doorstop.

Leave not granted.

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

In response to the member for Grayndler I have to say to him that what he raises is not a matter for the Speaker because it was not a matter raised in this chamber. Therefore, I will not be taking the matter any further.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, my point is that it is on the Parliament House website of the minister, for which you do have, as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, some responsibility in terms of the Department of the House of Representatives.

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

I thank the member for Grayndler. I remind the member for Grayndler that the Speaker cannot take responsibility for statements that are put on websites by members.