Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
3:11 pm
Madam Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
Ms Anna Burke Speaker
Does the Leader of the Opposition claim to have been misrepresented?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
Yes, grievously and serially.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
The Prime Minister today said that I had blocked the Malaysian people-swap legislation. This is false. It was never actually put to the parliament.
Philip Ruddock Berowra, Liberal Party
3:12 pm
In relation to the comments of the Prime Minister in relation to me—
Ms Anna Burke Speaker
Does the member for Berowra claim to have been misrepresented?
Ms Anna Burke Speaker
The member for Berowra has the call. Please proceed.
Philip Ruddock Berowra, Liberal Party
The Prime Minister correctly acknowledged that I have said that the Howard government solutions are not a menu that you can pick and choose from and all must be implemented to deal with this issue. I do acknowledge, given the size of the problem with something like 35,000 unlawfuls, that more might need to be done, but I have said in relation to the Malaysian solution, as it is called, that it is seriously flawed and would not work as proposed by the government.