Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
I seek to make a personal explanation.
Tony Smith Speaker
Does the Manager of Opposition Business claim to have been misrepresented?
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Yes—by the Deputy Prime Minister.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
On Tuesday in question time, the Deputy Prime Minister said, 'He is actually the shadow water minister, and the whole time there he has never asked me one question about water—not one.' At one level he is right: I have not asked one; I have asked three, on 21 November last year, on 28 November last year and on 29 November last year. The confusion may have arisen because questions were asked but answers weren't given!
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
3:23 pm
I seek to make a personal explanation.
Tony Smith Speaker
Does the member for Hunter claim to have been misrepresented?
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
I do indeed.
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
During question time today the Prime Minister claimed that I supported or support a policy to close down coal fired power generators. That is patently untrue, and what the Prime Minister has not discovered is that the coal fired power generators in the Hunter are reaching the end of their commercial lives. I seek leave to table a speech I made on Monday which proves that the Prime Minister misled the House today. Thanks, Christopher!
Tony Smith Speaker
Does the member for Paterson claim to have been misrepresented?
Meryl Swanson Paterson, Australian Labor Party
During question time today and on Tuesday the Prime Minister said I wanted to close down coal fired energy plants in my seat which provide power to the Tomago smelter, also in my electorate. That is completely untrue. I will always stand up for Australian jobs, including those jobs in my electorate, and it is a great pity the Prime Minister cannot say the same. I seek leave to table my speech, which indicates that the Prime Minister—
Tony Smith Speaker
I am not going to allow you to seek leave to table something that is in the Hansard.