Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband) 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

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, grievously.

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

Please proceed.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister, the Treasurer and the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport have accused me today of hypocrisy because I have opposed the NBN plan of the government while at the same time holding shares in an internet services company, which they assert will benefit from the NBN. In doing so, they have urged me ‘to put his mouth where his money is’—in other words, to act in this House with regard only to my own personal financial interest as opposed to the public interest, which I am sworn to serve.

The suggestion that I secretly support the NBN is absurd and false. I have been making the same criticisms of the NBN since it was first announced. The disgraceful suggestion that I should act corruptly and dishonestly by putting ‘his mouth where his money is’ speaks volumes about the standards of those who have made that disgraceful suggestion.