Kelvin Thomson Wills, Australian Labor Party
3:15 pm
Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
David Hawker Speaker
Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?
Kelvin Thomson Wills, Australian Labor Party
This morning’s AM program claimed I faced questions about my judgement based on a letter I wrote on behalf of a constituent who lost his job on the waterfront at the start of this year. What the reporter, Josephine Cafagna, failed to mention was that the constituent was the subject of an Australian Federal Police criminal history check, conducted with his consent, which concluded that he did not have an adverse criminal record or an adverse security assessment. In fact, the federal Department of Transport and Regional Services gave the constituent his job back in February this year, but Ms Cafagna failed to make any reflections on their judgement in doing so. It is reports like this which give journalists a bad name.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Government Members:
Government members interjecting—
David Hawker Speaker
Order! Members on my right! The member for Wills has the call. He will be heard.
Kelvin Thomson Wills, Australian Labor Party
I seek leave to table a letter from the Department of Transport and Regional Services which makes these matters clear.
Leave granted.
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
3:16 am
Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
David Hawker Speaker
Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
As usual, Mr Speaker.
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
In question time today, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations all alleged that I had criticised the Lilac City Motor Inn—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Government Members:
Government members interjecting—
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Mr Speaker, I know they do not like the truth, but I refer to—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Government Members:
Government members interjecting—
David Hawker Speaker
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to her point.
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
I refer to and I repeat my personal explanation from Thursday. I suggest they read it.