Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
3:20 pm
I wish to make a personal explanation.
Tony Smith Speaker
Does the honourable member 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
The member for Murray might show some courtesy by staying for it. During debate earlier today on the farm household allowance, the member for Murray claimed that, during the backpacker tax debacle, growers in the horticulture sector called my office only to be either hung up on or laughed at. That is so fanciful to be obviously untrue. It is a very severe reflection and insult upon my staff—my loyal, hardworking staff. If he has any honour about him at all, he will stand in this place, withdraw and apologise to them.
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
Come on! Get up and do it! Get up and do it!
Honourable members interjecting—
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
Cower away! Cower away! Go on! Cower away!
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Hunter!
Honourable members interjecting—
Mr Fitzgibbon interjecting—
Members on both sides! The member for Hunter!
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
I apologise, Mr Speaker.
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Hunter can. I gave him the opportunity and latitude on the matter, consistent—
Mr Fitzgibbon interjecting—
I would like you to apologise to the parliament, not me. I gave you the opportunity to raise the matter, to raise it in a very broad way, and then you conducted yourself in an unparliamentary manner.
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
And I appreciated the opportunity, Mr Speaker, and I do thank you, and I apologise. But you can imagine how upset I am—
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
at the reflection on my staff.