Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House) | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

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

Does the Manger of Opposition Business claim to have been misrepresented?

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House) | Link to this | Hansard source

I most certainly do.

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

The Manager of Opposition Business may proceed.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business in the House) | Link to this | Hansard source

In question time today the Minister for Health and Ageing alleged that I was soft on drugs. This is an allegation that I am soft on criminal conduct and that I am unconcerned about those who are killed or harmed by drug usage. This allegation is wholly untrue and I find it deeply offensive that the minister for health would play politics with the lives of thousands of Australians who are harmed each year by drug usage.

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

Order! The Manager of Opposition Business has made her point. She will resume her seat.

Robert McClelland (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

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

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Robert McClelland (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I do.

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

Please proceed.

Robert McClelland (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) | Link to this | Hansard source

In question time the Minister for Foreign Affairs stated that I had called for the closure of the Australian Embassy in Baghdad. In fact, my comments were to the effect that the government should obtain advice on the deteriorating security situation in Baghdad and, in that context, assess the viability of the mission in its present location. I seek leave to table the article by John Kerin in the Australian Financial Review today, the body of which article accurately sets out the comments that I made.

Leave granted.