House debates

Thursday, 26 May 2011

Personal Explanations

3:30 pm

Photo of Peter DuttonPeter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing) 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 Peter DuttonPeter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | | Hansard source

Yes.

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

Please proceed.

Photo of Peter DuttonPeter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | | Hansard source

During question time today I asked a question of the Treasurer about a drug that had been recommended by the independent PBAC to the government. At the conclusion of the answer to my question there was an interjection, a false interjection, from the Minister for Health and Ageing to suggest that she had not received that advice. I thought that was quite misleading and inappropriate and I seek leave to table this document.

Ms Roxon interjecting

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

Order! First of all, that is not a proper personal explanation. The member for Dickson has sought leave to table a document.

Leave not granted.

The member for Dickson will resume his seat. The Minister for Health and Ageing will withdraw.

Photo of Nicola RoxonNicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | | Hansard source

I withdraw.

Opposition members interjecting

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

Order! It is not helpful to make comments like that.

3:31 pm

Photo of Alan TudgeAlan Tudge (Aston, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I seek to make a personal explanation.

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

Does the member claim to have been misrepresented?

Photo of Alan TudgeAlan Tudge (Aston, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I do.

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

Please proceed.

Photo of Alan TudgeAlan Tudge (Aston, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

It follows from my comment yesterday. Having examined both the Hansard and the government statement that was issued post question time yesterday, it is clear that—

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

Order! The member for Aston must go to where he has been misrepresented, not give a preamble.

Photo of Alan TudgeAlan Tudge (Aston, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I refer again to the Treasurer's comments yesterday in question time when he claimed that I have said recently that I do not support the direct action policy of the coalition.

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

Mr Speaker, on a point of order: the member for Aston gave a personal explanation on this issue yesterday—precisely on this issue. He cannot get a go every day.

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

We would all get through a lot more if we were all quiet. I find it very strange that some people suggest it is the case only with certain individuals. The member for Aston will resume his seat. I think that this is a very rare attempt to follow up on something where there has already been a personal explanation. I might excuse the member for Aston, as he is a newer member and given that he has perhaps seen what members of longer standing do. If members do not have respect for the present occupant of the chair they might at least have some respect for the institution of Speaker. I simply indicate to the member for Aston that if something else has happened then it is only that that can be referred to, not what happened in question time yesterday. I remind the member for Aston that personal explanations are on indulgence, which is given by the Speaker and can be withdrawn by the Speaker. The member for Aston must explain to me where he has a further grievance. The member for Aston.

Photo of Alan TudgeAlan Tudge (Aston, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. There was also a statement issued by the government after question time which also suggested that I did not support the direct action plan. In both instances—

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

Order! The member will go to that statement.

Photo of Alan TudgeAlan Tudge (Aston, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

In both instances they are incorrect and have misrepresented my position. I have never made any comments on direct action other than to be supportive of it.

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

Order! The member for Aston will resume his seat. The member for Aston has explained where he has been misrepresented.