House debates Personal Explanations

Thursday, 15 May 2014 House of Representatives

Gary Gray

Gary Gray Brand, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Resources

5:30 pm

Mr Deputy Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

Russell Broadbent

Russell Broadbent McMillan, Liberal Party

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

Gary Gray

Gary Gray Brand, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Resources

Yes.

Russell Broadbent

Russell Broadbent McMillan, Liberal Party

Please proceed.

Gary Gray

Gary Gray Brand, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Resources

I have just been made aware of the publication of a parliamentary committee report to the parliament of Western Australia which apparently makes a number of observations about retention leases granted by me in 2013. I would like to take this opportunity to make a couple of points clear. Firstly, the retention leases that were provided by the Commonwealth at that time were done entirely properly. If I had been called before that committee of inquiry I would have provided that evidence to the committee. Should the parliament of Western Australia request that I place myself before the committee to explain the reasons for the decision and the integrity of the decision, I would be more than happy to do so. I thank you for your indulgence, Mr Deputy Speaker.