Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Does the member claim to have been misrepresented?
Tony Pasin Barker, Liberal Party
Yesterday, I gave a radio interview to Stan Thomson of ABC SouthEastSA based in Mount Gambier. A story about that interview was posted on the station's website yesterday afternoon and the station's Facebook page linked to that story earlier today. The Facebook link states:
Liberal Member for Barker Tony Pasin has said he would not support a change to legislation on the issue of same sex marriage and said the majority of his electorate has told him they agree.
The overwhelming majority of comments attracted by that post have negatively reacted to me allegedly claiming to have spoken to the majority of my electors. In actual fact, what I said in the interview was:
An overwhelming majority of people who have approached me on this issue have asked me to confirm the position as the traditional definition.
I trust this allays the concerns of people who have been offended by the misreporting of my comments.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member has completed his personal explanation.
Brett Whiteley Braddon, Liberal Party
3:10 pm
I stand to my feet to refute the claims of the member for Watson. No such photo was taken.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member will resume his seat. Under the standing orders you are not permitted to stand and debate such an issue. You may stand and seek indulgence, having said you have been misrepresented. If you wish to do that, you may.
Brett Whiteley Braddon, Liberal Party
I seek leave to make a personal explanation.
Brett Whiteley Braddon, Liberal Party
I certainly do, Madam Speaker, most grievously.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Then you may do it without engaging in debate.
Brett Whiteley Braddon, Liberal Party
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I refute the claims that have been made in this place by the member for Watson. No such photo was taken. He wouldn't know a good flash if he saw one!
Brett Whiteley Braddon, Liberal Party
I refute the claim. No such photo was taken.
Opposition members interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
There will be silence! I will say with regard to the question of when people rise to make a personal explanation that it is on indulgence only. An abuse of that indulgence will not be tolerated, and that includes smart comments.