Patrick Secker (Barker, Liberal Party) 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 member claim to have been misrepresented?

Patrick Secker (Barker, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Most grievously, Mr Speaker.

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

I call the member for Barker.

Patrick Secker (Barker, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In the Portland Observer issue of 22 November, journalist Bill Meldrum says that I have abandoned the Green Triangle Region Freight Action Plan. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the previous member for Wannon, David Hawker, and I were responsible for getting the funding for the study of the Green Triangle Region Freight Action Plan under the Howard government.

Secondly, the article said that Mr Grant King had said several phone calls had been made to my office but none returned. Not only were no calls made to my office by Mr Grant King; he has actually denied making any phone calls to my office and he has also denied making this comment. For the first time in my 12 years in parliament I intend to take up these lies with an official complaint to the Press Council.