Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek to make a personal explanation.

Tony Smith (Speaker) | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the Manager of Opposition Business claim to have been misrepresented?

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes—by the Deputy Prime Minister.

Tony Smith (Speaker) | Link to this | Hansard source

The manager of Opposition Business may proceed.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) | Link to this | Hansard source

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) | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek to make a personal explanation.

Tony Smith (Speaker) | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the member for Hunter claim to have been misrepresented?

Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) | Link to this | Hansard source

I do indeed.

Tony Smith (Speaker) | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Hunter may proceed.

Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) | Link to this | Hansard source

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) | Link to this | Hansard source

Is leave granted?

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) | Link to this | Hansard source

No!

Tony Smith (Speaker) | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is not granted.

Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek to make a personal explanation.

Tony Smith (Speaker) | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the member for Paterson claim to have been misrepresented?

Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

I do.

Tony Smith (Speaker) | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Paterson may proceed.

Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

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) | Link to this | Hansard source

Was your speech made in the House?

Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

It was indeed, sir.

Tony Smith (Speaker) | Link to this | Hansard source

I am not going to allow you to seek leave to table something that is in the Hansard.