House debates

Wednesday, 28 February 2007

Personal Explanations

3:24 pm

Photo of Kim WilkieKim Wilkie (Swan, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

Photo of David HawkerDavid Hawker (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Photo of Kim WilkieKim Wilkie (Swan, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Absolutely, Mr Speaker.

Photo of David HawkerDavid Hawker (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Photo of Kim WilkieKim Wilkie (Swan, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

On Monday during question time, the Treasurer, whilst answering a question from the member for Macquarie, said in response to an interjection from me:

The member for Swan interjects—one of the voices of Brian Burke in this parliament.

I understand that this statement was broadcast in the electronic media in Perth that evening and appeared in yesterday’s editions of the Australian and West Australian newspapers. I have never had a conversation with Brian Burke, either in person or via the telephone, let alone acted as his voice in this parliament. The Treasurer’s statement is completely false.

3:25 pm

Photo of Chris BowenChris Bowen (Prospect, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

Photo of David HawkerDavid Hawker (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Photo of Chris BowenChris Bowen (Prospect, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer) Share this | | Hansard source

By Senator Heffernan, Mr Speaker.

Photo of David HawkerDavid Hawker (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Photo of Chris BowenChris Bowen (Prospect, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer) Share this | | Hansard source

Yesterday in the other place, Senator Heffernan said that I had given on behalf of the Labor Party to restore tax deductibility on non-forestry managed investment schemes. While I have been very critical of government processes, I have not made any statements vaguely approaching what Senator Heffernan suggested.