House debates Personal Explanations

Tuesday, 24 May 2011 House of Representatives

Kelly O'Dwyer

Kelly O'Dwyer Higgins, Liberal Party

3:43 pm

Mr Speaker, I seek to make a personal explanation.

Harry Jenkins

Harry Jenkins Speaker

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Kelly O'Dwyer

Kelly O'Dwyer Higgins, Liberal Party

Most grievously, Mr Speaker.

Kelly O'Dwyer

Kelly O'Dwyer Higgins, Liberal Party

Last night in the chamber the member for Melbourne Ports made the following statement:

However, whenever the member for Higgins has had the chance she has risen to speak in this House and in press releases of the government's funding of school building being a crime against the taxpayer.

I seek leave to table the media release to which he refers. He is, in fact, not correct and has created a misleading statement. I did say:

A Coalition Government will allow government schools in Higgins to self-manage their 'school hall' funding grants as well as being able to keep the savings made to invest in other priorities, Federal Member for Higgins, Kelly O'Dwyer MP, said today.

I went on to say:

The Labor Government continues to waste billions in the so-called Building the Education Revolution program ...

Harry Jenkins

Harry Jenkins Speaker

Order! The member will not go further into debate.

Kelly O'Dwyer

Kelly O'Dwyer Higgins, Liberal Party

I went on to further say:

The scale of the Rudd/Gillard Government waste on this program is worse than a scandal. It is a crime against the taxpayer.

Schools are best placed to manage these projects in a way that achieves real value for money

Harry Jenkins

Harry Jenkins Speaker

Order! The member has made her personal explanation. The member will resume her place. The member has sought leave for the tabling of a press release.

Leave not granted.