Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member for Melbourne will refrain for a moment. Members leaving the chamber will do so quietly. The member for Melbourne has the call.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Does the member for Melbourne seek to make a personal explanation?
Adam Bandt Melbourne, Australian Greens
I seek to make a personal explanation.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?
Adam Bandt Melbourne, Australian Greens
I claim to have been misrepresented.
Adam Bandt Melbourne, Australian Greens
The member for Dawson made a comment during question time, which I will not repeat, which was simply untrue.
Opposition members interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
There will be silence on my right. The member has the call.
Adam Bandt Melbourne, Australian Greens
It was simply untrue. I also make the point that it was raised as a point of order. You ruled that there was no point of order. I might just note that that puts the member at a disadvantage, not being able to respond to an untrue allegation that is made about them during question time whilst broadcasting is in effect.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?
George Christensen Dawson, National Party
Yes, I claim to have been misrepresented because the member for Melbourne has just claimed I said something untrue. All I will say is I have ears, and look how close I am to him.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
I understand that the Leader of the Opposition has a matter he wishes to raise. Is it a personal explanation? Does he claim to have been misrepresented?
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
I do, most grievously—by the Leader of the House.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Today, during question time, the Leader of the House suggested that I asked for charges against an individual to be dropped. That allegation is completely untrue.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
3:15 pm
On indulgence: if I did misrepresent the Leader of the Opposition on that serious matter, I apologise for doing so. I was simply reflecting a story in The Sydney Morning Heraldwhich I am happy to table for the benefit of the parliament so that members can see the facts as they were presented by The Sydney Morning Herald.