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

I wish to make a personal explanation.

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

Does the honourable member claim to have been misrepresented?

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

I do indeed.

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

The member for Hunter may proceed.

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

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.

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

The Leader of the House with papers.

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

Come on! Get up and do it! Get up and do it!

Honourable members interjecting—

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

The member for Hunter!

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

Cower away! Cower away! Go on! Cower away!

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

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I apologise, Mr Speaker.

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

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

And I appreciated the opportunity, Mr Speaker, and I do thank you, and I apologise. But you can imagine how upset I am—

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

No, that is it.

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

at the reflection on my staff.

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

That is it. That is it.