Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
3:15 pm
I seek to make a personal explanation.
Tony Smith Speaker
The Manager of Opposition Business seeks to make a personal explanation. Do you claim to have been misrepresented?
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
I do.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
In question time today the Prime Minister described me as a staunch opponent of same-sex marriage. Not only has my indication that I would support same-sex marriage, or marriage equality, been made clear; the Prime Minister and I have had a conversation about the fact that I would vote in favour of it if it were raised again.
Tony Smith Speaker
I thank the Manager of Opposition Business. The member for Lilley?
Wayne Swan Lilley, Australian Labor Party
I wish to make a personal explanation.
Tony Smith Speaker
Does the member for Lilley claim to have been misrepresented?
Wayne Swan Lilley, Australian Labor Party
The Prime Minister said I was opposed to marriage equality. That is absolutely untrue. I favour marriage equality. He knows that, and I was deliberately misrepresented by the Prime Minister. It is not a good start to this debate.
Tony Smith Speaker
I thank the member for Lilley and call the member for McEwen.
Tony Smith Speaker
Does the member for McEwen claim to have been misrepresented?
Rob Mitchell McEwen, Australian Labor Party
Most grievously, Mr Speaker.
Rob Mitchell McEwen, Australian Labor Party
In question time today the Prime Minister misled the House in claiming I said a set of words.
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for McEwen will come to where he has been misrepresented.
Rob Mitchell McEwen, Australian Labor Party
Yes, I did. In question time today the Prime Minister, when he answered the opposition, claimed I said a set of words. I did not say those words. To assist the House, I said, 'Ask Gina, like Barnaby does.' I think the Prime Minister should come and immediately correct the record.
Tony Smith Speaker
I would say to the member for McEwen that he has made his personal explanation. The best way to avoid this in the future is to cease interjecting. Now he has said it, I will also caution him to refer to members by their correct titles, even when he is interjecting.