House debates Personal Explanations

Wednesday, 3 December 2008 House of Representatives

Christopher Pyne

Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training

3:44 pm

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

Harry Jenkins

Harry Jenkins Speaker

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Christopher Pyne

Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training

Most grievously.

Christopher Pyne

Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training

In question time, the Minister for Education asserted that the opposition had no support for its position on the Schools Assistance Bill. It is quite the opposite, and I seek leave to table a small selection of the emails and letters that I have had in the last couple of hours from school principals all across Australia, supporting the stance of the opposition—from schools like St Michael’s Grammar School, the Free Reformed School Association, Fitzroy Community School—

Harry Jenkins

Harry Jenkins Speaker

Order! The member for Sturt knows he cannot debate the issue.

Christopher Pyne

Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training

Melbourne Grammar School, the Victorian Parents Council, the Castlemaine Steiner School. Do I need to go on, Mr Speaker? Have I made my point?

Harry Jenkins

Harry Jenkins Speaker

No. The member has sought leave to table documents. Is leave granted? Leave is not granted. The member for Sturt will resume his seat.