House debates Personal Explanations

Monday, 12 September 2011 House of Representatives

Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House

3:27 pm

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

Harry Jenkins

Harry Jenkins Speaker

Does the member claim to have been misrepresented?

Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House

I do.

Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House

An article in the Age today—'Reef safeguard cut back'—purports to make a suggestion of a change in policy which is in my area and names me. The government does not, of course, comment on the content of classified US cables; however, the position has not changed since the policy in question was introduced in 2006. Between 1 January 2007 and 31 March 2011, 4,197 ships transited the Torres Strait. 4,197 of them had pilots onboard.