House debates

Wednesday, 3 December 2008

Personal Explanations

3:44 pm

Photo of Christopher PyneChristopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Photo of Christopher PyneChristopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | | Hansard source

Most grievously.

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Photo of Christopher PyneChristopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | | Hansard source

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—

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

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

Photo of Christopher PyneChristopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | | Hansard source

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

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

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