I wish to bring up an unfortunate incident that occurred at Canberra airport on Sunday night. I was not going to bring it up but a newspaper report yesterday into an incident that occurred in the Senate made clear that this is serial behaviour. What happened was that Senator Sterle said to another member that he would have been able to get the TWU to bring certain equipment across.

The member for Tangney is straying into imputation, so I will warn him as he proceeds.

I replied with a bit of a joke, saying, 'Well, you know, after last week he would say that.' Senator Sterle then physically threatened me in front of two of my young staffers and this threat was repeated on quite a few occasions, basically saying he would meet me at any truck stop anywhere in Australia anytime, as well as using foul language. I suggest that Senator Sterle send me, but more particularly my two young staff members, an apology.