House debates Personal Explanations

Monday, 7 November 2016 House of Representatives

Scott Buchholz

Scott Buchholz Wright, Liberal Party

3:14 pm

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.

Tony Smith

Tony Smith Speaker

Does the member claim to have been misrepresented?

Tony Smith

Tony Smith Speaker

The member for Wright may proceed.

Scott Buchholz

Scott Buchholz Wright, Liberal Party

Earlier today, the Manager of Opposition Business claimed that I seconded a motion and that, in doing this, I did not support the government's pension policy. Earlier today I did second a motion put by the honourable member for Lindsay in order to prevent the motion from lapsing, as Labor's seconder was either not present in the chamber or, to my knowledge, did not seek the call. I did this in order to allow the debate to occur. If I had not, the motion would have lapsed. If any member failed in their responsibility, it was the Labor seconder, who failed to either attend or seek the call. I made clear my support for the government's policy surrounding pensioners in my speech on the motion and I support the government's policy on pensioners, who I personally have great empathy for—particularly those on widow pensions.