House debates
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Questions without Notice
Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples
2:54 pm
Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister confirm reports that his press secretary, Mr Lachlan Harris, and his assistant press secretary, Mr Tim Gleason, were part of a protest against the Leader of the Opposition’s apology to the stolen generations this morning?
Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
In response to the honourable member’s question, I was advised a couple of hours ago that a couple of members of my staff—I think the ones that he referred to—were in the Great Hall at the time of the Leader of the Opposition’s address. I am further informed that, at the time when a large part of the rest of the gathered throng in the Great Hall turned their backs at a particular point of the Leader of the Opposition’s speech, the two members of my staff in question did so as well.
Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I am further informed of these matters by my chief of staff, who has spoken to the two individuals concerned—
Sophie Mirabella (Indi, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Mrs Mirabella interjecting
Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
My chief of staff has advised me that these two individuals, at his decision, have been counselled. I understand further that the two individuals, if they have not done so already, will be corresponding with the Leader of the Opposition to extend an appropriate apology.
Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Members on my right are denying their colleague the call.