Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is another process through which things of this sort can be much better resolved. Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Please proceed.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Wentworth’s comments are simply lies. It is not the case—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will choose his words a bit better.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I like it when people try to get on my good side after giving me a hard time for two hours. The minister will choose his words better.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Wentworth’s comments are simply untrue. As the member for Wentworth knows, I rang him after he wrote an article about this issue and informed him that the department had ruled the application to be ineligible. I invited him to get the council to have a discussion with the government about ensuring that the funding for the mental health component could be delivered. That offer was made; that offer is still there.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Leader of the House has made his personal explanation.